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REPORT 


0*F THE 


SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR 



Vi 

IN RESPONSE TO INQUIRIES OF 




APPOINTED IN PURSUANCE OF RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE ADOPTED 
MARCH 3, 1887, TO INQUIRE INTO AND EXAMINE THE METHODS OF 
BUSINESS AND WORK OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS. 





V . 





















REPORT 


OF THE 


SECEETART OF THE INTERIOR 



A r , 

ri 



~ r 


V' 

IN RESrONSE TO INQUIRIES OF 



APPOINTED IN PURSUANCE OF RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE ADOPTED 
MARCH 3, 1887, TO INQUIRE INTO AND EXAMINE THE METHODS OF 
BUSINESS AND WORK OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1887 . 


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t 







THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


CORRESPONDENCPl 


Mr. Cockrell to Mr, Lamar. 


United States Senate, 

Wash ington, D. C., March 18, 1887. 

The Select Committee ot the Senate, appointed in pursuance ot the resolution of 
the Senate adopted March d, 1887, “ to inquire into and examine the methods of busi¬ 
ness and work in the Executive Departments of the Government,” &c., have in¬ 
structed me, as chairman, to request you to lurnish to the committee, at your earliest 
c^nyenience, a detailed statement of the methods of transacting business in each 
division of your office and in each division of each Bureau of your Department, in¬ 
cluding one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in each of 
such divisions, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the Department, 
and theu showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such busi¬ 
ness matters, through the various divisions of your office and the various Bureaus 
and divisions of such Bureaus and employes through whose hands the same passes, and 
by whom it is considered aud acted upon and the action thereon had and taken by 
each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper 
party. 

I have the honor to bo, most respectfully, yours, &,c., 

F. M. COCKRELL, 
Chairman Senate Select Committee. 


Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, 

Secretary of the In terior. 


Mr. Cockrell to Mr. Lamar. 

United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C., March 18, 1887. 

My Dear Sir: The Select Committee of the Senate, appointed in pursuance of the 
resolutionof the Senate adopted March 3,1887, “to inquire into and examine the meth¬ 
ods of business and work in the Executive Departments of the Government, the time 
aud attention devoted to the operations thereof by the persons employed therein, and 
generally to inquire into and report to the Senate the causes of the delay in trans¬ 
acting the public business said to exist in some of the Departments,” have instructed 
me, as the chairman, to request you to furnish to the committee, at your earliest con¬ 
venience a detailed statement showing the amount and character of business pend¬ 
ing in each division of your office and in each division of each Bureau of your Depart¬ 
ment on the Ist day of January, 1884, and the amount and character of business re¬ 
ceived, and also transacted and disposed of in each division of your office aud in each 
division of each Bureau of your Department during said calendar year 1884, aud on 
hand, pending, and undisposed of on January 1, 1885, and the amount and character 
of business received, and also transacted aud disposed of in each division of your of¬ 
fice and in each division of each Bureau of your Department during said calendar 
year 1885, aud also on hand, pending, and undisposed of on January 1, 1886; aud the 
amount and character of business received, aud also transacted and disposed of in 
each division of your office and in each division of each Bureau of your Department 
during said year 1886, aud also on hand, pending, and undisposed of on January 1, 
1887; and received, and also transacted and disposed of in each division of your office 

3884 INT- 1 




2 


THE-DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


and in each division of each Bureau of your Department during said year 1887 uf) to 
March 1, 1887, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of in each division of your office 
and in each division of each Bureau of your Department on said March 1, 1887 ; and 
also a detailed statement showing the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of by the employds in each division of your office 
and in each division of each Bureau of your Department, and the average number of 
employds in each of such divisions, during each month in said years 1884,1885,1886, 
and 1887 up to March 1, 1887; and also the maximum and minimum amount of busi¬ 
ness transacted and disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing 
the least in each of such divisions during each of said months of said years, and if no 
account has been kept of the business performed and disposed of by each employd in 
any of such divisions during said years or any part or parts thereof, the reasons why 
such account has not been kept; and also a statement showing the average number 
of days, and the time and attention devoted to the consideration and transaction of 
business by the employds in each of the said several divisions, and whether in person 
or by proxy during each of said calendar years 1884, 1885,1886, and 1887 up to March 
1,1887, or during such parts of said years or either of them, as such employds or any 
of them may have been receiving pay from the United States, and also the maximum 
and the minimum number of days during each of said years and up to March 1, 1887, 
so devoted to business by the employd in each of said divisions, present for the great¬ 
est number of days, and also for the least number of days. If the data called mr by 
calendar years cannot be given as readily by calendar years as by fiscal years, then 
substitute for the calendar years named the fiscal years 1884,1885,1886, and 1887 up to 
March 1,1887, and thus save as much unnecessary labor as possible. 

I have the honor to be, most truly, yours, 

F. M. COCKRELL, 
Chairman Senate Select Committee. 

Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, 

Secretary of the Interior. 


Mr. Cockrell to Mr. Lamar. 


United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C., March 23, 1887. 

My Dear Sir : The Select Committee of the Senate, appointed in pursuance of the 
resolution of the Senate adopted March 3, 1887, to inquire into and examine the 
methods of business and work in the Executive Departments, &c., have instructed 
me, as chairman, to request you to furnish to the committee at your earliest conven¬ 
ience a statement of the present legal organization of your Department; the num¬ 
ber and designation of officers and employds in your office; the number and designa¬ 
tion of Bureaus; their officers and employds in number of each grade and class, 
including any branches of service and commissions not designated as Bureaus; num¬ 
ber of officers and employds; and in Bureau of Pensions, in addition to office force, 
special agents or examiners, the number of boards of examining surgeons for pen¬ 
sions, and the number of the members of such boards and the number of individual 
examining surgeons for pensions and the number of pension agents and employds in 
their offices; the number of land officers and of registers and receivers; the total 
number of their employds, if known ; the number of surveyors-general and their em¬ 
ployds, if known; the number of Indian agencies, agents, and employds, including 
physicians and teachers; and the number of Territorial governors and secretaries; 
and the number and designations of any other officers and employds under your De¬ 
partment supervision not before specially named, so as to give correctly and concisely 
a bird’s-eye view of your whole Department and its operations and force. 

Yours, truly. 


Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, 

Secretary of the Interior. 


F. M. COCKRELL, 

Chairman, tf c. 


Mr. Lamar to Mr. Cockrell. 


Department of the Interior, 

Washington, July 6,1887. 

' Referring to your letter of March, 1887, re([uosting statements showing the 
methods ot business, &c., in each of the several divisions of the offices of this Depart¬ 
ment, I have the honor to transmit herewith reports from the following offices : Gen¬ 
eral Land Office, Pension Office, Office of Indian Afl'airs, Office Commissioner of Rail¬ 
roads, Bureau of Education, and the Bureau of Labor. 





The department of the interior. 3 

Tho reports frem the remaiuing offices under this Department will bo sent as early 
as practicable, and it is believed that they will all be completed very soon. 
Respectfully, 

L. Q. C. LAMAR, 

Secretary. 

Hon. F. M. Cockrell, 

Chairman Senate Select Committee. 


Mr. MuUlrow to Mr. CocTcrell. 


Department of the Interior, 

Washington, July IS, 1887. 


Sir: In further compliance with the request contained in your communication of 
the 18tb March ultimo, I have the honor to transmit herewith reports of the Secre¬ 
tary’s Office and the Patent Office on “ the methods of business and work ” in the 
several divisions of these otlices. 

Very respectfully, 

IT. L. MULDROW. 


Acting Secretary. 

Hon. F. M. Cockrell, 

Chairman Senate Select Committee on the Executive DepartmenU. 


Mr. Lamar to Mr. Cockrell. 


Department of the Interior, 

Washington, June 22, 1887. 

Sir : In compliance with your request of March 23, last, there is transmitted here¬ 
with a statement of the present legal organization of this Department, the number 
and designation of officers and employes in each of its offices and Bureaus, and the 
various branches of service connected with this Department both in and outside of 
Washington, showing the total number of such persons on March 31, 1887, to have 
been 9,154. 

Very respectfully, 

L. Q. C. LAMAR, 

Secretary. 


Hon.F. M. Cockrell, 

Chairman Select Committee of the Senate. 




REPORTS OP BUREAUS, &c. 


LEGAL ORGANIZATION, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYES. 

Lega I organiza tion. 


Office of the Secretary. 

Office of the Assistant Attorney-General. 
General Land Office. 

Office of Indian Affairs. 

Pension Office. 

Patent Office. 

Office of Education. 

Office of Commissioner of Railroads. 

Geological Survey. 

Bureau of Labor (10 offices or Bureaus). 

Also— 

The Interstate Commerce Commission. 

The United States Paciffc Railway Commission. 
'I'ogether with— 

The Government Hospital for the Insane. 

The Freedmen’s Hospital. 

Architect of the Capitol. 


PRESIDENTIAL OFFICERS. 


Number* 


Chiefs of Bureaus and similar departmental officers. 

Registers of land offices. 

Receivers of public moneys. 

Surveyors-general. 

Surveyor of Military District in Ohio. 

Indian agents. 

Indian inspectors. 

Members of Board of Indian Commissioners. 

Indian School Superintendent..... 

Commissioners (temporary) for negotiations with Indiana. 

Pension agents. 

Government Directors of Union Pacific Railway Company. 

Governors of Territories. 

Secretaries of Territories.. 

Alaska Commissioners. 

Utah Commissionei-s. 

In the District of Columbia: Architect of the Capitol, Inspector of Gas and 
Meters, Register of Wdlls, Recorder of Deed.s, nine Visitors to Insane Asylum.. 

Interstate Commerce Commi.ssioner.s. 

Pacific Railway Commissioners. 


24 

111 

111 

U) 

1 

00 

5 

10 

1 

3 
18 

f) 

9 

•8 

4 


13 

5 

3 


Grand total of officers under Department of the Interior within the ap¬ 
pointment of the President. 

4 


411 

























THE DEPARTMENT. OF THE . INTERIOR 

Departni^ntal officers and employes. 


6 


Title or grade. 

1 

1 

j 

u 

« 

'eS 

tn 

Office Secretary. 

Office of Assistant 

Attornev-General. 

■ , — ■■■■ :- 

General Land Office. 

Office of Indian Af¬ 
fairs. 

Pension Office. 

Patent Office. 

Office of Education. 

Office Commissioner ' 

of Railroads. 

Geological Survey. 

Bureau of Labor. 

’3 

© 

H 

Specifically appropriated for. 












9 won 

Secretary of the Interior.. 

$R, 000 

1 






i 




] 

First Assistant Secretary of the Interior.. 

4, 500 

1 










1 

Assistant Secretary of the Interior. 

4, 000 

1 










1 

Commissioners. 

5, 000 





1 

1 





<> 

Do. 

4, 500 








1 



1 

Do. 

4' 000 



1 

1 







9 

Do. 

3', 000 







1 



1 

9 

First deputy commissioner. 

3 ; 600 





1 



* • • 

• • . 

1 

Second deputy commissioner. 

3, 600 





1 






1 

Assistant commissioner. 

3, 000 



1 

1 


~T 

.... 

... 

• • ■ 

' * * ■ 

3 

Director. 

6 , 000 








1 


1 

Chief clerk. 

2, 750 

1 









• • . 

] 

Do. 

2,400 









1 


1 

3 

Do. 

2. 250 



1 


1 

1 





Do. 

2 000 










1 

1 

Do. 

1 , 800 







1 




1 

Assistant chief clerk. 

2 ; 000 


1 



1 



.... 

• • 

.... 

1 

Executive officer. 

3, 000 


j:;:: 






1 


[ 

Chief disbursing clerk. 

2, 400 









1 

.... 

1 

1 

Medical refereed. 

3, 000 





1 





Assistant medical referee. 

2, 250 





1 






1 

Qualified sui’geons. 

2 , 000 





! 2 






2 

Medical examiners. 

1 , 800 





18 






18 

Examiner in charge of interferences. 

2, 500 





1 





1 

First assistant examiners. 

1 , 800 






32 






Second assistant examiners. 

1,600 






36 





36 

Third assistant examiners. 

1,400 





41 





41 

Fourth assistant examiners. 

1^200 

...J.... 




50 





50 

Chiefs of division. 

2 , 000 

6 



1 

12 

3 





22 

Assistant chiefs of division. 

ijsoo 


.... 



24 

3 





27 

Members board of pension appeals. 

2 , 000 

9 










0 

Special Indian agents. 

2 . 000 


• “ 


5 







5 

Superintendents of Indian schools. 

Vari’s 


.... 


5 







5 

Special inspectors public land service .... 

2, 500 

2 










2 

Superintendent of doctiments. 

2 , 000 

1 










1 

Inspectors of surveyors-geueral and dis- 












trict land offices. 

2 , 000 



3 








3 

Recorder of Gleneral Land Office. 

2, 000 



1 








1 

Law clerk... 

2, 750 


1 









1 

Do. 

2, 500 


1 









1 

Do. 

2, 250 


1 









1 

Do. 

2 ’ 000 



2 


. 

1 





4 

Law examiners_____ 

2 , 000 



2 








2 

Principal clerks.. 

1 ! 800 



3 


_ 






3 

Financial clerks... 

2 , 000 




1 


1 





2 

Principal book-keeper. 

1,800 




1 







1 

Book-keeper... 

2 ’ 400 








1 



1 

Assistant book-keeper. 

ij 800 





. 



1 



1 

Book-keeper for custodian.. 

1 ,' 200 

1 










1 

Onstodian (clerk of class 3) _...._ 

1 ’ 600 

1 











Railr«»ad engineer ..... 

2, 500 







.... 

1 



1 

Statistician . .. 

1 , 800 







1 




1 

F.xfl, miners-in-chief . . .. 

3, 000 






3 





3 

Principal examiners ... 

2,400 






28 





21 

Uo . 

2,000 1 





45 

i 





45 

T.ilira.ria.n ____ 

2^000 i 






1 1 



1 


2 

Translator ________ 

Vari’s ' 






’*1 j 

”i'! 



tl 

3 

Collecti'.r and compiler of statistic.s .. 

2, 400 1 







1 i 




1 

Private secretary*to Secretary of the In- 






[ 

j 





... _ _ -_- __ 

1,800 

1 





1 

i 




] 

fllerka of class 4 ____ 

1 , 800 

5 


39 

5 

74 

3 

2 



2 

13() 

Clerks of class 3 . 

1 , 600 

7 

1 

56 

8 

95 

4 

2 

1 

• . . . 

1 


fllerks of class 2_ ____ 

1,400 

6 


67 

10 

372 

14 

4 



2 

47<s 

Clerks of class 1 . 

l’200 

10 

. • • • 

73 

15 

361 

43 

6 

. . . • 

2 

2 

512 


2 000 


5 









5 

1 


1, 200 

1 










I)o . 

1, 000 



50 

9 

200 

27 

2 


1 

2 

29, 

Do . 

900 









4 


A 


1, 800 

1 










1 

Returns office clerk . 

1, 200 

1 










1 


Clerk class 3. 


t Clerk class 1. 






































































































































































































































6 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Deparimental officers and employes —Contiuiied. 


Title or grade. 

Salary. 

Office Secretary. 

Office of Assistant 

Attorney-General. 

General Land Office. 

Office of Indian Af¬ 

fairs. 

Pension Office. 

1 Patent Office. 

j Office of Education, j 

Office Commissioner 

Railroads. 

Geological Survey. 

Bureau of Labor- 

Total. 

cloik sigp 

$1,200 

1, 600 
1,600 

1,200 
1,200 

1 










1 

^f.^T^nprra.phftra . __ 



1 

3 





*1 

5 



1 









1 

RfanAorrcir^ViArfl m* f,\7nA.writ.Arfl 

12 










2 




■■ 






*1 

1 

SsI/iIIaH Hrftf‘I,flmAn . 

l', 200 
1,600 

1, 000 






3 





3 





1 






1 

Drt . 






3 





3 

P.opyiat'S___-_ 

'900 

7 


52 

12 

85 

63 

7 

1 


2 

229 


800 






2 




2 

Do . 

720 






4 

1 


4 


9 


720 










2 

2 


1, 400 
1,400 
1,600 










18 

18 






150 





150 






1 



.... 


1 


];400 
2, 000 





1 






1 

T*hnfnprapTiAr . . .. .. 









1 


1 

A .qainfnnt, plintographor_ 

'900 









1 


1 

Do _. 

720 





. 




1 


Do . 

480 









1 


1 

T^'.npill AAVM _ . ... 

1,200 

1,000 

1,000 

840 

1 




2 






3 

A saistflnt otiginooT’S_ __ _ 

1 










1 

(’nptaiii of watoh_ __ 

1 










1 

T)r» _______ 











1 

T.iftiif OTiants of wnf.oh__ 

840 

2 









2 

Sororoa.nt.a of wa,t,r,h__ 

750 




3 


.... 




3 

"Watch m a,n at... 

840 









1 


1 

Do. 

720 

38, 




20 



“ • 

1 

59 

Do . 

600 




. 


. . . 

"i 

4 

Skilled Tiiftcha.nic.... 

900 

1 










1 

Do.‘. 

720 

1 










1 

Messenger and nroperty clerk.... 

1,000 
1, 200 
840 






1 





1 

Skilled laborer at... 





. 

1 





1 

1 

Do. 






1 




Do . 

720 






92 





92 

Do . 

600 




.... 





1 

1 

29 

Messengers...-. 

840 

3 



1 

25 



.... 

' 

Do. 

480 





■■ 

4 


4 

Model attendants. 

1, 000 
800 






5 





5 

Do. 






10 





10 

Assistant messengers. 

720 

7 


8 

2 


1 

1 


1 

20 

Do . 

600 






' 

. . 

1 

1 

Messenger boys... 

400 





20 






20 

Do_.'.. 

360 




1 

15 

.... 




16 

T.aborcrs_______ 

660 

12 


12 

1 

25 

.... 

2 




52 

Do. 

600 

1 



45 




46 

Do. 

480 






40 

2 




42 

1 

Do . 

400 






1 




Do. 

360 







1 




I 

Laborers for Reports Tenth Census. 

()60 

1 










1 

Telephone operator.... 

600 

1 










1 

Conductor or elevator... 

720 

1 










1 

Packers... 

660 

4 


(i 








10 

Firemen... 

720 

6 



3 






9 

•Janitor... 

600 







1 


1 

Charwomen.. 

240 

4 



2 

5 




2 

13 

12 

9 

Special scientific force: 

Geologists.1 

2, 000 
to 









12 

2 

Paleontologists.| 

4, 000 
2, 000 
and 

\ 

i 

1 ... 







Chemists.....^ 

4, 000 
2, 000 
and 

s 

ii- 


1 

1 

i 

1 


.... 

.... 


2 


2 

1 

3 

1 

3 

C hi ftf geographer____ 

3, 000 
2, 700 
2, 500 

1^ 

1 


1 

1 


; 



1 


Geographers... 








3 


General assistant............. 

S, 000 




t 





1 


Topographers ____ 

2, 000 




1 . - . 





3 














Not specifically appropriated for. 


1 








1 


1 313 



1 

1 


i 





I 



t Clerks class 1. 


Clerks class 3. 
































































































































































































































THE "DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


7 


Department officers and employe's —Continued. 


Title or grade. 

Salary. 

Office Secretary. 

Umce oi Assistant 

Attorney-General. 

General Land Office. 

Omce ot inaian Ar- 

fairs. 

Pension Office. 

Patent Office. 

Office of Education. 

Ottice Commissioner 

Eailroads. 

Geological Survey. 

Bureau of Labor. 

Total. j 

Superintendent New York Indian Ware¬ 
house . 

$1,800 

Vari’s. 

Vari’s. 




1 

4 







1 

4 

9 

69 

13 

13 

2 

16 

9 

33 

6 

7 

1 

1 

4 

24 

37 

7 

10 

1 

2 

7 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

15 

6 

4 

Commissioners for Indian negotiations... 
Custodians military reservations. 












9 

69 

13 







Special agents......... ^ 

1,200 

to 

1, 500 
Vari’s. 
Vari’s. 

1 









Transcribers’ ifiats and records. 

y 









Clerks, &c.,for depredation claims. 



13 







Compilers of statistics (per day). 

$2 

Vari’s. 






2 




Experts and special agents’ assistants.... 

In Geological Survey... 









16 











Geologists, from .... ^ 

5 

p. d. to 
3, 600 
900 
to 

1,800 

2, 000 
to 

3, 600 
900 
to 

1,800 

2, 400 

2,100 
1,400 
to 

2, 000 

1, 200 
to 

1,800 

720 

to 

1,000 

600 

600 

to 

1,600 
1, 800 
1, 200 
to 

1, 500 
1, 000 
and 

1, 600 
700 
and 
720 
720 
1,200 
1, 000 
600 
420 
and 
600 
600 
and 
720 
600 
to 
900 
480 
to 
720 
180 

i. 








9 

33 

6 

7 

1 

1 

4 

24 

37 

7 

10 

1 

2 

7 

2 

1 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

.15 

6 

4 

.... 

Assistant geologists.^ 

5 








Paleontologists...^ 

1 








Assistant paleontologists.^ 

r 

1 








rreocrraplier___...__ 

y 

* 








AfeeVia,pieian__ ___ 









Assista.nt elieniists___^ 









3'opographers____^ 

5 

1- 








.... 

/i f.npntrrapliftr.q , . .. . ^ _^ 

r 

1 









S" 









1 








.... 


5 









1 









r 

1- 









r 
(, 









r 








.... 





























i- 









i- 









i- 

















Charwomen. 

s 










151 

10 

461 

? 10] 

L *1,55^ 

1 

1 571 

i 41 

7 

24( 

) 58 

3,20fi 




* Of whom about 275 are, or act as, special examiners in the field. 


Grand total of officers and employes within the appointment of the Secretary of the Interior, de 
ducting from the foregoing list 24Presidential appointees (3,213 — 24), 3,189. 










































































































































8 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Miscellaneous dejjartmental officers. —Superintendent of Government Hospital for 
the Insane ^ Surgeon-in-Cliief of Freedmen’s Hospital; Superintendent of the Hot 
Springs in Arkansas; Supervising Architect and Engineer for new Pension Office 
Building ; Inspector of Fuel for Department of the Interior. Total, 5. 


Employes outside the Department proper, not appointed by either the President or the 

Secretary of the Interior. 

Clerks in the 111 district land oflices : 10, at $1,200 per annum ; 20, at $1,000; 1, at $960; 85, at $900; 
2, at $600; total, 118. 

In the 15 offices of surveyors-generals: 

Clerks, at from $2,400 to $500. 

Draftsmen, at from $2,200 to $900... “ip 

Translators, at from $1,800 to $1,500. ^ 

Calculator, at $5.50 per day. J 

Mes.sengers, at from $900 to $1,200. 1^* 

Total.. 102 


INDIAN SERVICE. 


At the 60 Indian agencies: 

Physicians. 65 

Clerks. 55 

Assistant clerks. 6 

Issue clerks. 15 

Farmers. 44 

Additional farmers. 47 

Assistant farmers. 11 


At the 53 reservation schools: 

Superintendents. 60 

Teachers. 221 

Industrial teachers. 48 

Matrons. 62 

Clerks. 2 

Seamstresses. 53 


At the 7 training schools: 

Superintendents (not including the 5 ap¬ 
pointed by the Secretary). 2 

Teachers. 38 

Industrial teachers. 12 

Physicians. 6 

Clerks. 9 

Matrons. 12 


Millers. 21 

Engineers. 11 

Int^'preters. 73 

Police. 707 

Miscellaneous.. 143 


Total. 1,198 


Cooks. 60 

Laundresses. 51 

Miscellaneous. 91 


Total. 648 


Seamstresses. 11 

Cooks. 7 

Laundresses. 7 

Miscellaneous. 85 


Total. 189 


At the warehouse in New York City: Miscellaneous employes, 2. In the busy season 10 or more 
persons are employed several months. The grand total of the above, 2,037. 


PENSION AGENCIES AND BOARDS OP EXAMINING SURGEONS. 

Regular employes at the 18 pension agencies, exclusive of agents. 175 

Temporary employes (employed from one to three weeks during the quarterly payments). 145 

Total employes at pension agencies. 320 

Members of the 547 boards of examining surgeons. 1,603 

Individual examining surgeons. 689 

Grand total...2,932 


OTHER SERVICES. 


In the Geological Survey: Miscellaneous employ6s at from $5 to $150 per month. 55 

Under the Architect of the Capitol: Miscellaneous employes, including 176 unskilled laborei's.. 240 

At the Government Hospital for the Insane: Miscellaneous employOs. 350 

At the Freedraen's Hospital: Miscellaneous employOs. 40 


Grand total of employ6s outside the Department prop6r not appointed by either the President 
or the Secretary of the Interior..... 5, 554 

































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


9 


EECAPITULATION. 

Officers and employes of the Department of the-Interior. 

Presidential officers. 

Departmental officers and employes within tlie appointment of tlie'Secretary of the’in^ 3 189 
Employes outside the Department proper not appointed hy the President or the Secre¬ 
tary, VIZ : 

Clerks in district land offices. Hg 

Employes in offices of surveyors-general.. 102 

Employes at Indian agencies... 1 198 

Employes at Indian reservation schools.*648 

Employes at Indian training schools.189 

Employes at Indian warehouse in New York City.. 2 

Employes in pension agencies.”.!!!!*" 320 

Members of boards of examining surgeons. ] 603 

Individual examining surgeons.'.*,!!!!!!!!”." 689 

Employes at Government Hospital for the Insane.. 350 

Employes at Freedmen’s Hospital.y." 40 

Emploj'es in Geological Survey. 55 

Employes under Architect of the Capitol.240 

- 5,554 

Grand total number of officers and employes under the Department of the Interior, 
March 31,1887 ... . . 9,154 


OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY. 

CHIEF CLERK’S OFFICE. 

Report of the chief clerk of the Department of the Interior on the methods of business and 

work, as requested by Senate Select CornmiUee, and called for by Department circular of 

March 23, 1887. 

The statements herewith from the several divisions of the Secretary’s office show 
generally the character and amount of business which comes before the chief clerk of 
the Department for consideration and proper disposition. 

All official mail which is addressed to the Secretary, or the Assistant Secretaries, is 
delivered to the office of the chief clerk, where the latter, with the aid of one assist¬ 
ant, opens the mail, examines the communications, and sends them to the appropriate 
division to bo briefed, recorded, and acted upon in the manner set forth in the accom¬ 
panying statements. 

When the various official communications have been prepared in the several divisions 
for the signature of the Secretary, the First Assistant Secretary, the Assistant Secre¬ 
tary, or the chief clerk, they are brought to the chief clerk’s office, where they are 
carefully examined, and if they are found to be correct each communication is ini¬ 
tialed by him and placed upon the desks of the Secretary and the Assistant Secretaries 
for their consideration and signature. 

This mail consists of communications in relation to land matters and matters affect¬ 
ing land-grant railroads; the purchase of supplies for the Indians; employes at Indian 
agencies and Indian schools; Indian moneys; Indian lands; the inspection of the In¬ 
dian service; appeals in pension and bounty-land cases and concerning fees paid at¬ 
torneys and agents in such cases; the settlement of the accounts of agents for paying 
pensions; the admission of attorneys and agents to practice before the Department 
and its Bureaus; disbarments of attorneys and agents; questions affecting the admin¬ 
istration of the Patent Office, the Government Hospital for the Insane, the Freedmen’s 
Hospital, the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb; certain admissions to 
the Maryland Institution for the Blind; the construction of the now building for the 
Congressional Library; requisitions on the Secretary of the Treasury for the issue of 
warrants in payment for supplies furnished the Indians, rej^ayments for lands errone¬ 
ously sold, for money to be used in paying pensions, for money to bo used in paying 
indebtedness incurred in the administration of the Department, and for reimburse¬ 
ments oil account of the expenses connected with the last illness of pensioners; the 
settlement of accounts of disbursing agents; expense vouchers of the special agents 
of the Department and its several Bureaus; contracts for the purchase of stationery 
and miscellaneous supplies, and also the printing for the Department and its various 
Bureaus and offices. 

All the business set forth in detail in the annexed reports of the divisions of the 
Secretary’s office enters the Department through the office of the chief clerk, and 
through the same channel it is either forwmrded from the office of the Secretary to 
some Bureau of the Department with instructions for further action, or reply thereto 
is sent to the party or parties in interest. The large volume of business coming into 
the chief clerk’s office each day requires to be and is dispatched daily, as far as his 
office can dispose of it. 




















10 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The chief clerk is ex officio superinteudeut of the Depa.rtiiieut building, and in the 
latter capacity is charged \vith the care of the building and its approaches, super¬ 
vision of repairs and additions, the proper heating and lighting of the building, and 
the direct superintendence, with, the aid of an assistant superintendent, of the watch 
lorce, engineers, firemen, mechanics, messengers, and laborers. 

The annual estimates for appropriations for the service under this Department are 
])repared under the supervision of the chief clerk for the consideration and approval 
of the Secretary, and all expenditures from the contingent fund and other depart¬ 
mental funds are subject to his management and direction. 

It is also the duty of the chief clerk to see that the daily routine work is promptly 
and ethciently performed and to keep the Secretary informed in relation to the de- 
lails of the business transacted in the Secretary’s office and in the eight bureaus of the 
Department, each of which is dealing with widely diversified subjects. 

In addition to the above general view of the business of the chief clerk’s office, it 
may be remarked that he must be accessible at all times to persons seeking information 
in relation to business pertaining to any of the offices of the Department. 


APPOINTMENT DIVISION. 

Report of the appointynent division, Secretary’s office, on the methods of husiness and work 

as requested hy Senate Select Committee and called for hy Department circular of March 

23, 1887. 

To the appointment division is committed all business concerning the appoint 
ments, promotions, removals, resignations, &c., and charges against the official con 
duct of all officers and employes of the Department of the Interior who were ap¬ 
pointed by the President or the Secretary, whether emplojmd at Washington or else¬ 
where, together with all the records, files,- and correspondence relating thereto ; the 
business pertaining to all leaves of absence and to official bonds ; the filing and su¬ 
pervision of time reports of all employes; the notification of the disbursing clerk of 
changes in the pay of employds; the preparation of executive orders for the location 
of new or relocation or consolidation of established land offices and Indian agencies, 
and the preparation of the annual Register of the Department. 

The following statement shows in detail the methods of transacting business in the 
appointment division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the Interior, in¬ 
cluding one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said divis¬ 
ion, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the appointment division,* 
and then shows in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such princi¬ 
pal business matters through the axipropriate divisions of said office, and the em- 
ployds through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted 
upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally dis¬ 
posed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party : 

Appointment by the President requiring confirmation by the Senate .—The papers of ap¬ 
plicants for appointment are filed in jackets, all papers of an ax)plicant for a certain 
office being filed in the same jacket. When a vacancy occurs, or is expected by ex¬ 
piration of term, a brief of the papers of all applicants for that office is prepared for 
the Secretary’s information. 

When the Secretary directs who shall be appointed, a nomination is prepared, re¬ 
corded, and sent to the President, who, when he has signed it, sends it to the Senate 
notifying this Department of the date. When the Senate confirms .a nomination, the 
President is notified. He forwards said notice to this Department, and a suitable 
, commission is then prepared, which, Avhen signed by the President and the Secretary 
of the Interior and impressed with the Department seal, is properly recorded and for¬ 
warded to the head of the Bureau under whom the appointee is an officer, unless the 
appointee is directly under the Secretary. He is then instructed concerning the re- 
(piisite bond, oath of office, &c. 

Should the Senate reject a nomination, the Dei)artmeut is notified through the 
President and a new nomination must be made. 

Appointment by the President during the recess of the Senate .—Such an appointment 
is made by issuing to the appointee a “temporary” or “recess” commission, good 
“ until the end of the next session of the Senate and no longer,” if the office to which 
he is appointed is one requiring confirmation by the Senate. If so, ho must be nom¬ 
inated to the Senate within thirty days after meeting during its next session. 

If the office does not, by law, require confirmation, the original commission is suf¬ 
ficient. 

Removal from office by the President.—A letter to the officer is prepared stating that 
he is “ hereby removed from the office of-and, usually, to take effect on the ap¬ 

pointment and qualification of his successor. 


* Pai)er8 for the business of this division are usually received through the chief clerk or from the 
Secretary. 









THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


11 


When said letter has been signed and dated by the President and recorded, it is 
forwarded to the officer addressed through the head of the bureau under whom ho 
serves, unless he is directly under the Secretary. 

(This manner of “ removal” superseded the “ suspension ” under the tenure-of-office 
act upon its repeal, March 3, 1887.) 

Appointment under the Civil Service rules. —(1) Request received from the head of 
the Bureau in which the vacancy to be tilled exists, for a certification by the Civil 
Service Commission of persons eligible for appointment. This is numbered and re¬ 
corded, as is each action in the case. 

(2) Said request forwarded to Civil Service Commission for compliance. 

(3) Certification received with examination papers of the persons certified. 

(4) Referred to head of the Bureau whence came request. 

(5) Received back with recommendation for an appointment. 

(6) Secretary’s approval secured. 

(7) Letter of appointment prepared, signed, and press-copied. 

(8) Appointment sent to the head of the Bureau in which the appointee is appointed. 
(Said office notifies the appointee.) 

(9) Notice of appointment sent to Civil Service uommission, returning the exami¬ 
nation papers. 

(10) Oath of office received. 

(11) Notice to Civil Service Commission of the date said appointment took effect 
(after appointee has entered on duty). 

(12) Disbursing clerk informed of date on which salary begins. 

(13) Reappointment or dismissal must be made after probation of six months. 

(14) Civil Service Commission must be informed of said reappointment and of any 
change in the official status of any one who was appointed on its certification. 

Offitial bonds—their examination and approval. —Before the commission of an ap¬ 
pointee is delivered to him, if the office is one for which an official bond is required, 
he is instructed how to prepare his bond, and furnished blanks therefor. 

When the bond is received by the head of the Bureau under whom the appointee 
is to serve, it is examined, and if not satisfactory, returned for correction; but if 
considered good, is forwarded to the Secretary for approval. In the appointment di¬ 
vision it is examined and recorded, and then submitted to the Assistant Secretary 
for further scrutiny. When approved by the Secretary, it is returned to the head of 
the Bureau whence it came, who files it with the proper accounting officer of the 
Treasury Department. If not approved by the Secretary or the Interior, the bond 
is returned, through the proper Bureau, with the reasons for its disapproval. 

After his bond is approved, the appointee is instructed about entering on duty. 

A bond is required on both temporary and permanent commissions. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the i^eriod, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the appointment division of the Secretary’s office, 
Department of the Interior ; 


Character of business. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 


183 

157 

292 

50 


120 

224 

166 

13 


366 

478 

606 

91 


929 

396 

558 

60 


1 

192 

109 

34 


27 

80 

54 

5 


126 

208 

188 

31 


None. 

82 

40 

None. 


48 

339 

267 

22 


171 

81 

32 

12 


55 

147 

169 

20 

New applications for Presidential appointments (each averaging 
10 papers, except in 1884, when average was 6 papers) received. 

525 

3,632 

1,478 

296 


3,150 

835 

36, 320 

14; 780 

2, 960 

^few applicationa tor clepartmontal appointraents (each averaging 

3,150 

2,181 
13, 086 

' 644 


5, 010 

18, 900 

3, 864 

J. O tai 1111 111 UCl Ul IILKJ V C o.- 

(Note.— Several hundred other papers are received annually 
from old applicants and filed with original applications.) 

157 

208 

280 

19 

Leaves of absence to Presidential appointees receiveu, granted, 

208 

174 

207 

32 


8, 000 

7, 500 

7,500 

400 


85 

93 

88 

8 

Ite(|ue8ts on Civil Service Commission tor certifications tor ap- 

20 

23 

61 

14 

Kequests for transfer from other Departments. 

Letters and notices to Civil Service Commission . I 

None. 

56 

5 

110 

15 

343 

4 

140 





































12 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Character of business. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to i 
March 1). 

Certifications received from Civil Service Commission. 

62 

28 

167 

24 

Letters transmitting commissions. 

Miscellaneous letters sent, press-copied, and copied by hand in 

158 

299 

176 

18 

permanent record. 

Miscellaneous telegrams sent, press-copied, and copied by hand in 

030 

474 

459 

52 

permanent records. 

37 

27 

22 

None. 

Oaths of office received, briefed, and filed.. 

240 

740 

1,152 

192 

Time reports received and tiled monthly. 

264 

280 

300 

50 

Time reports received and filed weekly.. 

None. 

None. 

338 

135, 

Reports to disbuising clerk, pages. 

Miscellaneous letters received (including charges against officials) 

250 

307 

3136 

61 

briefed, recorded, and indexed, and action thereon noted. 

1, .500 

3,534 

3, 278 

161, 


Some of the above flf^ures are only approximately corn^ct, but the estimates were carefully made. 


The items for the statement showing the average amount and character of business 
performed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, hy the employes 
in the appointment division of tfie Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior, can¬ 
not be furnished. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the appointmeuta 
division of the Secretary’s office, Department of tlm Interior, during the periods spec-' 
ified : 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

A pi’. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

1885. 

6 

6 

6 

6 

7 

7 

8 

8 

8 

8 

9 


1886. 

8 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7^ 

1887 (to March 1). 

7 

7 

















1 


1 

1 


' » .Ala 


■ > ■ 

Kemark. —Large increase in applications for appointments. 3 


As to the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the employd doing tlie least during the periods 
specified in the appointment division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the In- 
erior, see statement below. 

In the appointment division no account is kept of the “ amount of business trans¬ 
acted and disposed of” by each eraployd, for the reason that most of the work is of a 
kind that cannot be adequately indicated by figures. The various branches of work 
of the division are assigned to certain clerks whose time, when new business is light, 
is fully occupied by recording and miscellaneous work. 

Naturally,-much time is occupied by answering inquiries of Senators and Congress¬ 
men and applicants for office concerning applications and recommendations, and in 
making lists of employes, &c. 

The work of the division is, generally speaking, completed day by day, excepting 
the recording of past work, which is always provided for in some satisfactory tem¬ 
porary manner. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the appointment division of the Secretary’s office. De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Calendar 

year. 

Number 
of em- 
pley6s. 

Average 
number 
of days 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 

1884. 

6 

273i 

*7 

None ... 

1885. 

6-9 

266 

7 

1 

None ... 

1886. 

7-9 

262? 

7 

None .. - 

1887t. 

7 

46? 

7 

None ... 


Remarks. 


366 days in year; Department closed 59 days; av¬ 
erage absence of each employe during year, 3‘2§ 
days (including sickness). 

365 days in year ; Department closed 63i days; av¬ 
erage absence of each employb during year, 35^ 
days (including sickness). 

365 days in year; Department closed 60 days; 
average absence of each employe during year, 
4r?| days (including sickness). 

59 days in the 2 months; Department closed 11 
days; average absence of each employ6 during 
the 2 months If days (including sickness). 




Office hours, 9 to 4 o’clock, with half an hour for lunch. 


f To March 1. 






















































































I 

ttlE DEl»AItTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 13 

The business of the division frequently requires extra work out of regular hours. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days, 
In the appointment division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Character of business. 

Maximnm number of days. 

*294 

*242 

t275i 

t237i 

1277 
t 230 

00 

Clerical. 

Clerical. 

Minimum number of days. 



* Department open 307 days in 1884. , + Department open 305 days in 1886. 

t Department open 301^ days in 1885. § Department open 48 days in 1887 (to March 1). 


LANDS AND RAILROADS DIVISION. 

Jieport of the lands and railroads division, Secretary’s office, on the methods of business 
and worh, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the lands and rail¬ 
roads division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the Interior. 

Docket of land cases on appeal. 

Approval of land selections. 

Approval of repayment cases. 

Approval of Revolutionary bonnty-land scrip. 

Approval of maps of right-of-way railroad companies. 

Approval of articles of incorporation of right-of-way railroad companies. 
Reservation of lands for military, light-house, and life-saving purposes. 

Instructions to commissioners to examine sections of completed land-grant and 
subsidy railroads, and examination of their reports. 

Recording of railroad company mortgages. 

Timber trespasses on public lauds. 

Unlawful fencing of public lands. 

Cases of board for equitable adjudication. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the lands and 
railroads division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the Interior, in- 
clucRng one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said 
division, beginning with the receii)t of the business matter in the Secretary’s office, 
and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such 
l)riucipal business matters through the api^ropriate divisions of said office, and the 
employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally 
disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Land cases on appeal .—When an appeal case is received in this division from the Gen¬ 
eral Laud Office it is registered in “ Register of letters received,” given a file number, 
and the date of its receipt by the Department and the file number placed upon each 
paper. 

It is then entered in the “ Appeal docket,” the entry showing the number of the 
case, its title, the land district where it originated, the names of the attorneys of 
record, the date and purport of the Commissioner’s decision, and date of letter trans¬ 
mitting the case, with date of its receipt. A tag is then attached to the case, on 
which is written the docket number, when it is filed away to await action by the law 
officer of the Department and the Secretary. 

Cases are sent to the Assistant Attorney-General for the Dei)artment for considera¬ 
tion in the order of their receipt, a mouth’s cases going in at a time. 

When a case has been considered and the decision written and signed by the Secre- * 
tary, the decision, with all the papers, except the Commissioner’s decision and letter 
of transmittal, which are filed away, is returned to the General Land Office. 

All press copies of decisions are recorded in “Record of letters sent,” and all action 
in case's is noted on the docket in the column of “ Remarks.” 

Timber-trespass cases .—When a timber-trespass case is received in this division from 
the General Land Office, it is registered in “ Register of letters received,” given a file 
number, and the date of its receipt by the Department and the file number placed 
upon each paper. 

The case is then examined and a letter to the Attorney-General prepared, request¬ 
ing the institution of such legal proceedings as the facts presented seem to require and 






















14 


THU-DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


justify—Hoiiietiiiies criminal suit for trespass aloue, sometimes civil suit alone for the 
value of the timber involved, and sometimes both. This letter, after being signed by 
the Secretary, is press-copied and forwarded, with all the x>apers in the case, to the 
Department of Justice. 

On receipt of a letter from the Commissioner of the General Land Office recommend¬ 
ing acceptance or rejection of a proposition of settlement in a timber-trespass case, it 
is registered as above and the case is examined. If the offer of settlement is accepted 
a fetter to that effect is written, signed by the Secretary, and with the papers sent to 
the General Land Office, with directions to allow the settlement on payment of the 


sum named to such officer as he may designate, within the time i^rescribed. If the 


offer of settlement is rejected the case is sent to the Department of Justice with a 
request for institution of legal ju’oceediugs, or returned to the General Land Office 
with a letter setting forth what terms of settlement will be accepted. 

On receipjb of a communication from the Commissioner of the General Land Office ' 
inclosing an offer of compromise sent to him by the Solicitor of the Treasury for a re¬ 
port of his views thereon, a letter,‘signed by the Secretary, is sent to the Solicitor, 
forwarding the papers with the Commissioner’s report, and giving an expression of 
his opinion as to whether the compromise offered should be accepted or the legal 
proceedings go on. 

All letters relating to timber-trespass cases are recorded in Record of letters sent.” 

Letters from the Department of Justice setting forth that suits in timber-trespassj 
cases have been instituted, after being registered, are referred to the General Laud^ 
Office, where they remain. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed of,' 
at the dates specified below, in the lands and railroads division of the Secretary’s 
office. Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 


Applications for r e - 
payment of purchase- 
money for lands ... 
Lists of swamp-land 
selections and a c - 

counts. 

Lists of State selec¬ 
tions . 

Lists of railroad selec¬ 
tions . 

Lists of suspended en¬ 
tries . 

Articles of incorpora¬ 
tion of right-of-way 
railroad companies . 
Right-of-way railroad 

maps_. 

Timber-trespass cases. 
Appeals from General 

Land Office. 

Unlawful fencing. 

Miscellaneous commu¬ 
nications . 

Letters written. 

Land decisions record¬ 
ed . 

Miscellaneous letters 

recorded . 

Number of pages re¬ 
corded. 

Number of pages type 

written. 

Appeal cases docketed. 
Jleport of Commission¬ 
er on sections of com¬ 
pleted railroads. 

Railroad company’s 
mortgages recordkl . 


a 

a 

be 

_g 

a 

4) 

Ph 


cs . 

fl fH 


0 Gi 
© 


•d 

<D t-i 

> d 
--•'d 


1,1154 


105 

23 

26 

73 


11 


160 

00 


427 


4,828 


Sent to Assistant Attorney-General’s room. 


Transacted and dis¬ 
posed of during 
calendar year 1884. 

j Pending Jan. 1,1885. 

Received during cal¬ 
endar year 1885. 

Transacted and dis¬ 
posed of during 
calendar year 1885. 

j Pending Jan, 1,1886. 

' 1 

Received during cal¬ 
endar year 1886. 

j Transacted and dis¬ 
posed of during 

1 calendar year 1880. 

1, 2.54 

. • • • 

1,183 

1,183 


820 

820 

10 5 


70 

70 


101 

101 

23 

.... 

14 

14 


8 


26 

.... 

12 

12 


14 

I 

14 

73 

.... 

40 

40 


18 

18 

11 

.... 

10 

10 


28 

28 

160 


61 

61 


269 

269 

99 

.... 

219 

219 


249 

249 

*821 

527 

1,217 

*615 

1,129 

1, 841 

982 



51 

51 


35 

97 

4, 828 


6, 023 

6, 023 


6,417 

6,417 

656 



600 



1, 318 

777 



561 



934 

1,123 



1, 035 



1, 535 

4, 985 

.... 

. 

3, 917 



5, 904 

1 oon 

921 



1, 217 



1,841 

4 



4 



0 

1 



2 



3 




- 






1,988 

8 


145 

145 

17 

17 

2 

2 

0 

0 

3 

3 

3 

3 

51 

51 

62 

63 

336 

*187 

16 

4 


1, 338 


1, 338 
358 


157 
398 
1, 021 


385 

326 


t2,127 
20 


tarv *but alUhl? m ^ cases awaiting action by the Assistant Attorney-General and Secre- 

y, out an this division can do in relation to them in their present condition has been done. 



























































































































THK DEPAUTMElNt OF fitE INTi^RtOR. 


15 


The I’ollowin*'" stateiiiont shows the avora;;o ajaouiit per mouth, and character 
of work (lone dnriug the ]!)eriods specified by employds in the lands and railroads 
division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of work. 


Applications for repayment of purchase money for lands .. 

Lists of swamp-land selections and accounts !. 

Lists of State selections. 

Lists of railroad selections. 

Lists of suspended entries. 

Article of incorporation of right-of-way railroad companies 

Right-of-vv'ay railroad maps. 

Timber-trespass cases. 

Appeal cases from General Land Office. 

Unlawful fencing... 

Miscellaneous communications. 

Letters written... t 

Land decisions recorded. 

Miscellaneous letters recorded. 

Number of pages recorded... 

Number of pages type written. 

Appeal cases docketed. 


Monthly average each year. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

104.6 

98.7 

68.4 

72. C 

8.9 

5.10 

8.5 

8.6 

1.11 

1.2 

.8 

1 

2.2 

1 

1. 2 


6.1 

3.4 

1.6 

l.G 

1.1 

.10 

2.4 

1.6 

13.4 

5 1 

22.5 

25.6 

8.3 

18.3 

20.9 

31 

76.9 

101. 5 

153.5 

163 


4.3 

2.11 

'8 

. 402.4 

501.11 

534.9 

669 

. 54.8 

50 

109.10 

179 

. 64.9 

46.9 

77.10 

78.6 

. 93.7 

86.3 

127.1 

lao 

. 415.5 

326.5 

492 

5n).6 



175 

160 

. 76.9 

101.5 

153.5 

192.6 


The following statement shows the actual amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes 
in the lands and railroads division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Inte¬ 
rior : 


Character of business. 

Letters received each month of— 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 


693 

723 

759 

874 


764 

810 

738 

1,089 


721 

764 

970 



718 

822 

905 



569 

777 

775 



543 

819 

> 778 



584 

673 

894 



602 

647. 

779 



559 

656 

769 



555 

712 

871 

. . • • ... 


518 

716 

788 



674 

781 

774 



7, 500 

8,900 

9, 800 

1, 963 







The following statement shows the number of employes in the lands and railroads 
division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

1885 . 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 . 

3 

3 

3 

3 

H 

^4 

1886. 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

1887 (to March 1) .... 

4 

4 










-- 


♦Additional dork detailed, December 11,1885. 


As to the statement called for showing the maximum and minimum amount of 
msiness transacted and disposed of by the employ6 doing the most and the employe 
loiug the least dui-ing the periods specified in the lands and railroads division of the 
Seirltarv’s office, Dei^artment of the Interior, the records of the division have not 


r 






































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


le 

been kept so as to show this comparison, nor can they be; nor is the character of 
the work done by each em])loy^ such as to admit thereof. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied by the employes in the lauds and railroads division of the Secretary’s office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Calender year. 

00 

o 

a 

<o 

Cm 

O 

o 

'A 

Average No. of 

days present. 

Average No. of 

hours employ¬ 

ed daily. 

No. by proxy. 

1884. 

3 

277 i 

7 

(*) 

0 

1885. 

3 

287| 

2G9§ 

44J 

7 

1886. 

4 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

4 

7 

0 

_BS 


* No record kept for this year. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum g 
number of days devoted to business by the employee present for the least number of 
days in the lands and railroads division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the 
Interior, during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days.... 

277 

301^ 

123" 

270 

48 

Minimum number of days .. 

276 

261 

38 



* Mr. McMurray appointed August 1,1885. 


[Note bif Committee: The statement showing the duties of each employ^ in the 
lands and railroads division of the Secretary’s office is not deemed important, and 
is not printed.] 


Department of the Interior, 

Office of the Secretary, 

' Washington, Ajml 14, 1887. 

Sir: In obedience to Departmeut circular of the 23d ultimo, I h ave the honor to 
submit tlie foregoing report from the lands and railroads division of your office, re¬ 
quested by the Select Committee of the Senate appointed in pursuance of the resolu¬ 
tion of that body adopted March 3, 1887, “ to inquire into and examine the methods 
of business and work in the Executive Departments of the Government,” &c. 

The report is as full as it can conveniently be made, and is prejiared in accordance 
with the blanks furnished, as far as the records of t]ie division will afford the in¬ 
formation desired. Some additional information is glVen, which, it is thought, may 
be useful. 

The work of this division is kept up to date uuiformly, never being at any time 
more than a few days behind; but in order to do this the chief of the division works 
from one to two hours extra nearly every day, and sometimes the other employes i 

work extra hours. " ^ 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN McMURRAY, 

. Chief of Lands and liailroads Division. 


The Secretary of the Interior. 


& ^ 
































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


17 


BOARD OF PENSION APPEALS. 


Jivport of the board of pension appeals, Secretary of the Interior's office, on the methods 
of business and work, as requested bg Senate Select Committee, and called for by De¬ 
partment circular of March 23, 1887. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting hnsiness in the hoard of 
Pension appeals division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the In¬ 
terior, including one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said 

division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the-office, and 

then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, 
and notice thereon duly given to the proper party. 

Applicants for pensions and land warrants for military service performed, feeling 
aggrieved at the action of the Commissioner of Pensions, for any cause, in rejecting 
their claims, have the right of an appeal to the Secretary of the interior. 

The business of the boards of pension appeals is transacted as follows: 

Upon the receipt of an appeal from the Commissioner of Pensions in a claim for 
pension or bounty land, the same is prepared for reference to the Commissioner of 
Pensions by the secretary of the board, who enters upon the apneal docket the name 
of the appellant, the name and service of the soldier on whose accoupt the claim is 
made, the date of the receipt of the appeal, and, if an attorney is employed in the 
case, his name is given upon the’docket. The date of the receipt of the appeal is 
noted on the docket. The appeal is numbered, and is referred to the Commissioner 
of Pensions, with a request, over the signature of the Assistant Secretary of the Inte¬ 
rior, for a report of the grounds of the action of the Pension Office in the case, such 
report to be forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior with the papers in the claim. 
The receipt of the appeal is acknowledged by letter to the appellant. 

Upon receipt of the report of the Commissioner of Pensions upon the appeal, with 
the papers, tlie receipt of the same is noted upon the docket. The secretary of the 
boards prepares letters for the signature of the Assistant Secretary, answering all in¬ 
quires in regard to cases upon appeal and other inquiries concerning the business of 
the Secretary of the Interior in relation to pensions and bounty land. 

There are nine members of the board of appeals, and they are divided into three 
boards of three members each. 

Cases are taken up for consideration in the order of the date of appeal. When the 
^members of the board have considered the evidence and the law bearing upon the 
case, the opinion of the board, or of a majority of the board, is x>repared for the signa¬ 
ture of the Assistant Secretary. If there be a difference of opinion as to the action 
which should be taken in the case, the Assistant Secretary is informed of the fact that 
a member of the board dissents from the opinion written up for the majority of the 
board. If the Assistant Secretary should concur with the dissenting member of the 
board, the case is by him returned to be written up in accordance with his opinion. 
If he should difter with all the members of the board, an opinion in accordance with 
his view is prepared. 

There are two tyi)e-writers connected with each board. They are employed in 
liriuting with the type-writer all opinions for the signature of the Secretary or Assist¬ 
ant Secretary, and all briefs of evidence in cases in which a printed brief is deemed 
necessary, and all letters relating to questions concerning pensions which come be¬ 
fore the office of the Secretary of the Interior. 

The o})inions of the Secretary upon cases on appeal are directed to the Commis¬ 
sioner of Pensions, and the pai)ers in the case are returned therewith. The Commis¬ 
sioner informs the appellant of the purport of the decision in his or her case. 

The action of the Department upon the appeal is noted upon the appeal docket. A 
copy of the decision is taken, to be jireserved among the records of the office of the 
Secretary of the Interior for future reference. 

[Note by Committee : The following table was substituted for the four seiuarate tables 
as given in rejmrt:] 

Amount and character of business on hand, received, and disposed of in theboard of pen¬ 
sion appeals, division of theofiiccof the Secretary of the Interior, atthe times named: 


Pending .Tan. 1,1884. 520 

{ Received during 1884. 2,148 

I Disposed of in 1884. 1,446 

I Pending Jan. 1, 1885. 1,228 

Received during 1885. 2,021 

I Disposed of in 1885. 1,177 

I Pending Jan. 1, 1886. 2,672 


3884 INT-2 


Received during 1886.. 2,874 

Disposed of in 1886. 1,652 

Pending Jan. 1, 1887. 3,894 

Received up to Mar. 1, 1887 . 400 

Disposed of up to Mar. 1, 1887. 746 

On hand x^euding Mar. 1, 1887. 3,548 



















18 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the pension 
appeals division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feh. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 







5 

5 

6 

G 

G 

G 

1885. 

6 

6 

6 

6 

G 

6 

c 

6 

G 

G 

G 

G 

1886. 

9 

10 

10 

10 

10' 

10 

10 

10 

10 

15 

2G 

27 

1887 (to March 1). 

28 

28 

28 












INDIAN DIVISION. 


Report of the Indian division., Secretarfs office, on the methods of business and work, as 
requested by Senate SeJeet'Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
211,1887. 

Department or the Interior, 

Washington, May 12, 1887. 

Sir: In compliance with Department circular of March 23, 1887, I have the honor 
to submit herewith detailed, statement showing the method of transacting business in 
the division of Indian affairs, office of the Secretary of the Interior; also detailed 
statements “ showing the amount and character of business ’’ pending, received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the periods specified, together with other statements 
called for in the two letters from the chairman of the Senate Select Committee, ap¬ 
pointed to inquire into and examine the methods of business and work in the Execu¬ 
tive Departments. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 


The Secretary op the Interior. 


E. V. BELT, 
Chief Indian Division. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the Indian division 
of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior. 


1. Matters relating to Indian lands: 

(o) Eights of Indians to lands. 

(&) Intruders and trespassers upon Indian lands. 

(c) Negotiations, &c., relative to cessions of Indian lands. 

' (d) Creatioii, discontinuance, &c., of reservations for Indian occupancy. 

(e) Deeds and other conveyances of Indian lands. 

(/) Instructions for surveys, allotments, &c., of Indian lands. 

{g) Questions concerning leases, contracts, &c., affecting Indian lands. 

(/<-) Eights of railroads, canals, &c., upon Indian lands. 

(i) Projected legislation affecting Indian lands. 

(k) Construction of treaties and laws relating to Indian lands. 

(l) Cattle grazing upon Indian lands. 

(w) Mining and logging operations upon Indian lands. 

2. Matters relating to Indian moneys: 

(a) Construction of treaties on questions of annuities. 

{b) Questions as to how annuities, &c., should be expended. 

(c) Keeping account of bonds and stocks in which Indian trust funds are ij]- 
vested and questions relating thereto. 

{d) Contracts with Indians for professional services in claims, &.c. 

(e) Projected legislation regarding Indian annuities. ’ 

3. Matters relating to the conduct of Indians: 

(a) Outbreaks and disorders among and by Indians. 

(b) Crimes committed by Indians. ^ 

(c) Depredations by Indians and consideration of claims therefor. 

(d) Industrial employment of Indians. 

4. Matters relating to the support of Indians : 

(a) Construction of laws authorizing expenditures for Indian supplies &c 
(&) Authorities for the making of contracts for Indian supplies, transporta- 


(c) Examination of contracts for Indian supplies, &c. 

(d) Authorities for open-market expenditures for Indian supplies &c 

(e) Authorities for service of employes in the Indian Department.’ 




































19 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


5. Matters relating to Indian edncation, schools, &c.; 

(а) Location and construction of Indian school buildings. 

(б) Contracts for conducting Indian schools, &c. 

(c) Inspection of Indian schools, &c. 

(d) Examination of reports of inspection by Indian school superintendent. 

(). Inspection of the Indian service : 

(a) Preparation of instructions for investigation of Indian agencies, schools, 
&c. 

(&) Examination of reports of Indian inspectors, &c. 

(c) Examination of accounts of Indian inspectors. 

/. Miscellaneous matters of Indian service : 

(a) Numerous and perplexing, requiring much time for examination, search¬ 
ing of records, tiles, &c. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the Indian divis¬ 
ion of the Secretary’s oftice, in the Department of the Interior, including one or 
more items of the principal business laatters transacted in said division, beginning 
with the receipt of the business matter in the Secretary’s office, and then showing 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business 
matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the 
action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is tinally disposed of, and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Business matters relating to Indian Affairs, submitted to the office of the Secretary 
of the Interior, are recorded, examined, considered, and prepared for action in the 
division of Indian Affairs of the Secretary’s office. 

Such business matters come to the division from the Secretary, the Assistant Secre¬ 
taries, the chief clerk, and from individuals. They are first examined by the chief of 
the division to ascertain their contents, importance, &.C., and for notation thereon of 
any special directions considered necessary for proper preparation of the necessary 
correspondence. They are then briefed, entered, and indexed by the clerk of class 
3, upon the “ Register of Letters Received;” thence they are passed to the desks of 
the corresponding clerks for examination and preparation of the rough drafts of the 
necessary corresxiondeuce. The corresponding clerks are the chief of the division, 
the clerk of class 4, and the clerk of class 2. 

All drafts of letters, statements, <fcc., prepared, are written out by the clerk of class 
1 on the type-writing machine, before being laid before the Secretary or the Assistant 
Secretaries for final consideration and signature. 

As a general rule the correspondence prepared each day, after being examined and 
initialed by the chief of the division, is taken to the room of the chief clerk of the 
Department, where it is reviewed and passed to the First Assistant Secretary or the As¬ 
sistant Secretary, as the case may be, by whom it is considered, and, when approved, 
is signed or passed to the Secretary for final consideration and signature. When ap¬ 
proved and signed it is returned by the chief clerk to the division where it is press- 
copied and sent olf to proper destinations by mail or messenger. 

The letters prepared on many important and urgent matters are taken directly by 
the chief of the division to the Secretary or Assistant Secretaries for consideration and 
signature. 

The correspondence is transcribed from the x)re8s-copy book into the permanent 
“ Record of Letters Sent,” and indexed by the copyist. 

It is a general rule, well and cheerfully observed by the employes of this division, 
that the business matters of each day must be disposed of, so far as practicable, be¬ 
fore they leave their desks for the day. 

The following are sample items of principal business matters transacted in the In¬ 
dian division, office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior: 

Item No. 1.—Subject: Construction of Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad through the 

Gila River Reservation in Arizona. 

(No. 1.) 

Nov. 27, 1887.—The chief of the Indian division brought to the attention of the Sec¬ 
retary of the Interior a statement in the annual report of the governor of Arizona 
for the year 1886, under subject of railroads, viz : “ That there is now under con¬ 
struction a road from Maricopa Station, on the Southern Pacific, via Tempo to 
Phoenix.” As on the route indicated the railroad would traverse a portion of the 
Gila River Reservation, the Secretary directed that the Commissioner of Indian 






20 


THE DEPAETMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


Affairs make iiKjuiry of the agent for the Pima Agency whether said road is be¬ 
ing constructed within said reservation, and, if so, by what authority. 

[This letter to the Commissioner was prepared by the chief of the Indian divis¬ 
ion, copied by clerk of class 1 on type-wri ter. sent to the chief clerk, read by 
him and passed to and signed by the Secretary (Hon. D. L. Hawkins, acting); 
press-copied, recorded, and indexed from press-copy book, by copyist; noted on 
messenger’s receipt book by clerk of class 2, taken by messenger to office of Assist¬ 
ant Commissioner of Indian Afiairs, and receipted for November 28,1886.] 

(In all subsequent action noted below as taken on this matter of business in 
the division of Indian Affairs, office of the Secretary of the Interior, it passed 
through the hands of the same employes and officers as designated above, except 
when otherwise stated.) 

CNo. 2.) 

Nov. 28,1886.—Received by Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs, sent to the divis¬ 
ion of files and records, where it was briefed, registered, and indexed and referred 
to the appropriate division,—in this case the land division of the Indian office— 
where it was perused by the chief of that division, registered by clerk of class 1 in 
in the division register, and assigned to clerk of class 4 having charge of rail¬ 
road matters, for action, who examined the matter December 1, 1886, and pre¬ 
pared draft of instructions to the resident agent, which he submitted to chief of 
division for inspection ; then it was copied by a copyist on type-writer ; examined 
with clerk who prepared the draft; examined and initialed by chief of division ; 
read and initialed by Assistant Commissioner, and jiresented to Commissioner for 
signature ; returned, approved and signed ; press-copied by a copyist, and mailed 
by clerk of class 4, who noted action on original communication and handed it to 
registry clerk, who entered action on division register and filed papers. 

(In all subsequent action noted below as taken in the Indian Office on this mat¬ 
ter of business, it passed through the hands of the same employes and officers, sub¬ 
stantially, as designated above, except where otherwise stated.) 

(No. 3.) 

Nov. 29, 1886.—Agent of Pima Agency writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs 
that white men are camped on reservation and clearing for right of way for rail¬ 
road, and asks instructions. 

(No. 4.) 

Dec. 9, 1886.—Commisssioner inclosed copy of agent’s letter, for information of De¬ 
partment, and referring to failure of Congress to enact appropriate pending legis¬ 
lation prior to adjournment, asks further instructions. 

(No. 5.) 

Dec. 10, 1886.—Received by chief clerk of the Department and sent to the Indian di¬ 
vision, same date; chief of division, after consultation with Secretary, prepared 
the reply, directing the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to instruct the Pima agent 
to warn all persons engaged in locating or constructing a railroad thereon to leave 
the reservation at once, and not to permit them to proceed with the work in which 
they may be engaged until proper authority therefor shall have been granted. 
(This letter was signed by the Secretary, Hon. H. L. Muhlrow, acting.) 

(No. 6.) 

Dec. 13, 1886.—Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs telegraphs agent in accord¬ 
ance with Department insti uctions. 

(No, 7.) 

Dec. 15, 1886.—Commissioner of Indian Affairs receives telegram from agent, statin 
that instructions will be carried out. 

(Filed with papers in the case.) 


(No. 8.) 


Jan. 6, 1887.—The President transmits to the Department for examination and report 
as to whether any objections exist to its approval, H. R. 9736—“To grant the 
Maricopa and Phamix Railroad Company the right of Avay through the Gila River 
Reservation.” 








THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


21 


(No. 9.) 

Jan. 6, 1887.—Received by the chief clerk Interior Department, and sent to miscella¬ 
neous division, where it was registered by clerk of class 4, and referred to the 
Commissioner of Indian Afi’airs, on the same day, for report. 

(No. 10.) 

% 

Jan. 11. 1887.—Commissioner of Indian Afl’airs returned enrolled bill to the Depart¬ 
ment, with letter stating that he knows of no objection to its approval. 

(No. 11.) 

Jan. 12, 1887.—Received, registered, and indexed as in No. 9. Letter to the President 
returning enrolled bill prepared by chief of miscellaoeous division, copied by type¬ 
writer, signed by the Secretary, press-copied, and sent by messenger to Executive 
Mansion. 

(No. 12.) 

Jan, 18, 1887.—Agent of Pima Agency telegraphed Commissioner of Indian Affairs that 
grading was being done on reservation, and asks for assistance of military to drive 
off the intruders. 

(No. 13.) 

Jan. 19, 1887.—Preceding paper forwarded by the Commissioner to the Deiiartment; 
referred to Indian division where, on verbal instructions from Secretary, telegram 
was prepared. 

(No. 14.) 

Jan. 19,1887.—To the president of the Maricopa and Pheenix Railroad, reixuiring him 
to discontinue work and withdraw from the reservation at once all persons unlaw¬ 
fully thereon, until location of road shall be approved by this Department, and 
consent of Indians is obtained, satisfactory to the President of the United States, 
as required by the recent law (enacted January 17, 1887) granting right of way. 

[Signed by the Secretary of the Interior and given to telegraiih operator. Inte¬ 
rior Department. Copy made which, with telegram of Pima agent, was returned 
to Commissioner of Indian Affairs same day. J 

(No. 15.) 

Jan. 19, 1887.—Received by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who informed agent 
by telegraph, same date, of action taken by the Department. 

(No. 16.) 

Jan. 21, 1887.—Senator Stanford iiles telegram from Mr. Towne, urging that the Mar¬ 
icopa and Pheenix Railroad Company be allowed to go on with the construction 
of road on right of way through Gila River Reservation. 

[ This telegram was handed by the Secretary of the Interior to the chief of In¬ 
dian division, with instructions to prepare answer. ] 

(No. 17.) 

Jan. 21, 1887.—To Senator Stanford, calling attention to ju’cvisions of act requiring 
ascertainment of damages, filing of maps of definite location, &c., before work 
begun, and saying that the railroad company should proceed in the way and 
manner clearly prescribed by the law granting the right of way. 

(Signed by the Secretary of the Interior and mailed to Senator Stanford.) 

(No. 18.) 

Jan. 21, 1887.—Hon. C. C. Bean filed in Indian Office three telegrams from vice-presi- 
ident of the railroad company which, in view of the action taken by the Depart¬ 
ment January 19, did not appear to call for any reply, 





22 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


A 


(No. 19.) 


Jan.‘22, 1887.—A telegram, dated January ‘21, 1887, was received from the chief engi¬ 
neer of the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad, dated at Maricopa, Ariz., asking 
whether map of location filed before passage of the law will not bo accepted, and 
stating that work has been stopped, &c., as required. 


(No. ‘20.) 

Jan. 22, 1887.—Reply (telegram) prepared, stating Department’s appreciation of read¬ 
iness and i)romptnes8 of eompany’s complianee with instructions; that an old 
map of proposed road is on file in Indian Office, and the company should give no¬ 
tice that said map is now tiled as representing definite location of the road if that 
be so, and that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs has been instructed to direct 
the agent to lay the matter of right of way before the Indians and to report on 
compensation, as required by law. (Signed by the Secretary.) 


(No. 21.) 


On the same day, January 22, the telegram of chief engineer of the railroad, 
with copy of Department reply, w'as sent to the Commissioner of Indian Aft'aira. 
with directions to instruct the agent to proceed as indicated by Department 
action. 


t> 


(No. a!>.) 


Jan. 22, 1887.—Received by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who telegraphed the 
agent that detailed instructions will be sent him by mail. . 

(No. 23.) 



Jan. 25,1887.—Commissioner of Indian Affairs instructed agent to lay the matter be¬ 
fore the ludiahs in council, and in the event of their assent, to ascertain and re¬ 
port upon the question of damages to individual Indians, as provided for in the 
act. 

Forms of ])apers to bo used for the consent of Indians, and appraisement of 
damages, &c., prepared by clerk of class four, copied on type-writer, examined, 
initialed, signed, press-copied, and mailed, as noted in No. 2. 


(No. 24.) 

Jaw. 28, 1887.—Commissioner of Indian Affairs received letter from Pima agent, ex¬ 
plaining situation and saying that railway company only quitted reservation after i 
being threatened with forcible removal, notwithstanding Department telegram j 
of 19th instant. I 

(This letter was received in Indian Office on January 28, 1887, was dulj^ regis- i 
tered and referred, as in No. 2, but in view of action taken by that office on Jan¬ 
uary 25, did not appear to require action, and it was therefore filed.) 


(No. 25.) 

Jan. ‘24, 1887.—Secretary received telegram from chief engineer Maricojia and Phcenix 
Railroad, dated .January‘23,1887, saying that map in Indian Office is filed as maj) 
of definite location, and asks if consent of Indians on tile cannot be accepted. 

Referred to Commissioner of Indian Affairs for report, signed bv Secretarv 
(Hon. H. L. Muldrow, acting). 

(No. ‘26.) 

Jan.25, 1887.—Commissioner of Indian Afiairs replies to Department that chief engi¬ 
neer is under misapprehension as to formal consent of Indians being on tile in 
Department, and explains what really is on file, and that the act specially requires 
the consent of the Indians to be obtained in a manner satisfactory to the Presi¬ 
dent before any appropriation of lands by railway company; also that agent has 
been fully instructed. 

(Report received in Department, sent to Indian division January 26, 1887, reg¬ 
istered, indexed, and filed,) ^ 





THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


23 


(No. 27.) 

Jan. 22,1887.—Department received telegram from Hon. George Hearst, San Francisco, 
Cal., requesting authority for Maricopa and Fhtenix Railroad to proceed with 
the construction of their road through the Gila River Reservation, 

(This was handed to chief of Indian division January 28 by Secretary of In¬ 
terior, and was registered, indexed, and filed.) 

(No. 28.) 

t/aH.24, 1887.—Maricojia and Phceuix Railroad Company ask Department that consent 
of Indians on tile be accepted and permission be granted to go on with the work. 

(Received January 31,1887, and referred to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.) 

(No. 29.) 

Received by the Indian Office January 31, 1887. No action taken pending 
result of agent’s negotiation with Indians other than to register, and tile with 
papers in the case. 

(No. 30.) 


Feh. 1, 1887.—Letter received by Department from Maricopa and Phcenix Railroad 
Company, retiling maps of location of road. 

(Received, registered, and indexed, and referred to the Commissioner of Indian 
Affairs, Feb. 1, 18o7.) 

(No. 31.) 


Received by Indian Office February 2,1887. Filed. For action see Indian Office 
report to Department, February 19, 1887. 

(No. 32.) 

Feb. 6, 1887.—Pima agent telegraphs to Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Indians 
in council have consented, and that appraisement will be made forthwith. Filed. 

(No. 33.) 


Feb. 8, 1887.—Commissioner of Indian Affairs telegraphs agent to mail consent of Indi¬ 
ans to his office at once. 


(No. 34.) 


Feb. 9, 1887.—M. R. Locke & Co., contractors, filed letter asking Department author¬ 
ity to x)roceed with the construction of the Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad. 


(No. 35.) 

Feb. 10, 1887.—The Department replied, declining to grant authority until provisions 
of law were complied with. (Signed by Acting Secretary Muldrow.) 

(No. 36.) 


Feb. 16, 1887.—Commissioner of Indian Affairs again telegraphs agent to forward con¬ 
sent of Indians. 


(No. 37.) 


Feb. 14, 1887.—Agent transmits several newspaper clippings criticising his action 
in the case. Articles examined, considered, and filed by clerk of class four having 
charge of the case, on further action being deemed necessary by Land division, 
Indian Office. 

(No. 38.) 


Feb. 18, 1837.—M. R. Locke & Co., contractors, write to Department asking authority 
to go upon Gila River Reservation and construct bridge over said river, 
(Referred to Commissioner of Indian Affairs February 21, 1887.) 






24 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


(No. 39.) 

Feb. 25, 1887.—Received in Indian Ottice after report of February 19, next mentioned, 
bad been made. Registered and tiled. 

(No. 40.) 

Feb. 20, 1887.—Agent telegraphs Commissioner of Indian Affairs that papers were for¬ 
warded on 12th instant. 

(No. 41.) 

20,1887.—Agent telegraphs Commissioner that interpreters certiffcate, omitted 
to be attached to the papers sent, had been forwarded by him that day. 

(No. 42.) 

Feb. 19, 1887.—Papers having in the mean time arrived. Commissioner Indian Affairs 
transmits them, viz, minutes of council and memorandum signed by chiefs and 
headmen, containing consent of Indians, descriptive list, and appraisement of dam¬ 
ages to individual Indians; certified abstract from minutes of meeting of board of 
directors, directing the refiling of map of definite location, with the map itself, 
and recommends approval thereof, and that company be authorized to proceed 
with construction of road upon the reserve, subject to a due observance of the 
requirements of the act in regard to the payment of damages assessed as per 
schedule of appraisement. 

Same general process in Indian Office as before noted, including examination of 
all inclosures to see that they were properly executed and certified. 

(No. 43.) 

Feb. 19, 1887.—Received by the Department, registered, and the chief of Indian di¬ 
vision prepared Department letter to the President requesting his approval of 
the consent of the Indians to the right of way. 

Signed by the Secretary of the Interior, sent by messenger to Executive Man¬ 
sion, and receipted for February 19, 1887. 

(No. 44.) 

Feb. 19,1887.—The President indorsed his approval on the papers, which were, on Feb¬ 
ruary 21,1887, returned to the Department, and were on same date returned to the 
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, approving the appraisement of damages to im¬ 
provements and maps of definite location, and authorizing the company to pro¬ 
ceed with the construction of its road ; directing, however, that the company be 
called upon to file its consent to the provisions of the act granting the right of 
way, if not already done, and to file bond provided for in section 3 of said act. 
Letter prepared by corresponding clerk of Class IV, and signed by the Secretary. 

(No. 45.) 

Feb.2A, 1887.—Upon receipt of foregoing instructions. Commissioner telegraphs agent 
that all preliminaries arranged, and that railway company may proceed with con¬ 
struction. 

• (No. 46.) 

Feb. 24, 1867.—Commissioner of Indian Affairs incloses copy of Department letter of 
21st instant to Mr. Locke, contractor for the road (present), and informs him that 
agent had been instructed by telegram as above. 

(No. 47.) 

Feb. 26, 1887.—Commissioner transmits copy of Department letter ©f gist instant, aiiil 
returns approved schedule of appraisement to agent, with instructions to co-oper¬ 
ate with company oflicers in settlement of damages, to obtain receipts from the 
Jndians, and to return the schedule with the fact of payment duly certified. 


TEE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


25 


(No. 48.) 

Feh. 26, 1887.—Commissiouer trausmits copy of Department letter of 2l8t instant to 
C. S. Hasten, vice-])re8ideut and chief engineer of the railway company, with copy 
of approved schedule of appraisement of damages to individual occupants, amount¬ 
ing to $707.90, and requests him to make early appointment with agent to settle 
with Indians ; also forwards form of bond in $10,000, in conformity with the act, 
for execution and acknowledgment by proper officer of the company, and two 
sureties, and for return with certified copy of resolution of board of directors au¬ 
thorizing such execution and accepting provisions of the act. 

(No. 49.) 

Feb. 28, 1837.—Interpreters certificate to be attached to papers received in Indian 
Dffice from Agent Howard. 

Registered, indexed, and tiled as in No. 7. 

(No. 50.) 

Alar. 7, 1887.—Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad Company acknowledges receipt of 
])apers received from Commissioner of Indian Affairs on 26th ultimo, and have ar¬ 
ranged to meet the agent at an early date and disburse amounts awarded to In¬ 
dians ; also states will forward bond duly executed as soon as quorum of board of 
directors assemble. 

(No. .51.) 

Mar. 28, 1887.—Agent returns schedule of appraisement with his certificate of pay¬ 
ment of amounts awarded to Indiarus attached. 

I 

(No. 52.) 

Apr. 9, 1887.—Department received letter from Maricopa and Phoenix Railroad Com¬ 
pany, dated April 3, 1887, filing indemnity bond in $10,000, as required by section 
3 of act granting right of way. 

Referred to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs April 9, 1887. 

(No. 53.) 

Apr. 11, 1887.—Received in Indian Office; examined by clerk of class IV, in land 
division, where it was found incomplete, by reason of absence of United States 
officiaPs certificate as to sufficiency of sureties, and letter was prepared and signed 
by Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs returning same to vice-president of 
railway company to bo perfected. 


(No. 54.) 

May 2, 1887.—Bond perfected and reflled by the Maricopa and Phcenix Railroad Com¬ 
pany ; examined and submitted by Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs to De¬ 
partment for approval in accordance with the requirements of the act. 

(No. 55.) 

May 12, 1887.—Received by the Department, considered, approved, and returned to 
Indian Office for file. 

Item No. 2.—Subject: Allotment of lands in severalty to Indians on the Santee Reser¬ 
vation in Nebraska. 

Jan. S9, 1865.—The Commissiouer of Indian Affairs submitted report from United 
States Indian Agent Lightner, Santee Agency, Nebraska, recommending allot¬ 
ments of lands to Indians on Santee Reservation and the restoration of unallotted 
and unreserved lands to the public domain, in which the Commissioner concurs 
and incloses for consideration of the Department draft of an Executive order for 
approval by the President necessary to carry out the recommendation. 

Received by chief clerk of the Department; taken by him to the Secretary of 
the Interior, who indorsed it “Approved, H. M. Teller,” and handed the papers to 
the chief of the Indian division; registered and indexed by clerk of Class III; 
examined with reference to the laws and treaties bearing thereon by chief of di¬ 
vision, who submitted a report (copied on type-writer by clerk of Class I) to the 
Secretary for his information. The papers were returned to the division by the 
^ Secretary, and 


26 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

Feb. 1), 1885.—A letter prepared to the President approving the Commissioner’s rec¬ 
ommendation and requesting the issuance of the proposed Executive order. 

Letter drafted by clerk of Class IV; examined by chief of division; copied on 
type-writer by clerk of Class I; sent to the chief clerk ; signed by the Secretary ; 
press-copied ; noted in receipt-book, and receipted for February 9, 1885. Letter 
recorded and indexed by copyist. 

Note. —In all subseq^ueut action noted below as taken on this matter of business 
in the division of Indian affairs, office of the Secretary of the Interior, it passed 
through the hands of the same employes and officers as designated above, except 
where otherwise stated. 

Feb. 10, 1885.—Executive order returned by the President, with his signature ap¬ 
pended thereto, February 9, 1885. 

Feb. 11, 1885.—Letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, inclosing the Executive or¬ 
der, and a letter to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, inclosing a copy 
of said order for file. 

Feb. 13,1885.—Letter to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, instructing him to have the 
necessary allotments made to Indians on the Santee Reservation in Nebraska. 

Feb. 16,1885.—Received by chief clerk of Indian Office and sent to division of files and 
records, where it was briefed, registered, indexed, and sent to land division on 
same day, where it was read by chief of division, charged to clerk of Class II, 
handed to registering clerk, class $^1,000, by whom it was registered, indexed, and 
handed to clerk of Class II, by whom, on February 16,1885, a rough draft of letter 
to Agent Lightner, of Santee Agency, was prepared, transmitting copy of Execu¬ 
tive order of February 9,1885, and giving full instructions relative to making 
allotments, written out on type-writer by clerk of class ^1,000, compared, read, 
and approved by chief of division, read and approved by chief clerk, read and 
signed by Commissioner, returned to land division, copied in letter-press book, 
put in envelope by clerk of Class II, and placed in mail bag. 

In all subsequent action noted below as taken on this matter of business in the 
Office of Indian Affairs, it passed through the hands of the same employes and 
officers as designated above, except where otherwise stated. 

Mar. 9,1885.—Agent Lightner informed as to construction of act of March 3,1863, rela¬ 
tive to allotments to these Indians, in response to an inquiry made February 25, 
1885. 

Hon. C. F. Manderson, March 22, 1885, and Hon. G. W. Dorsey, March 27,1885, 
respectively, forwarded elaborate brief prepared by Hon. S. Draper, taking the 
ground that the allotments which the agent had been instructed to make were 
illegal. 

Apr. 11,1885.—A letter was prepared to Hon. C. F. Manderson, giving history of res¬ 
ervation and asserting rights of Indians to allotments as contemplated by the in¬ 
structions to agent of February 16,1885. 

Jpr. 14,1885.—A letter was written to Hon. G. W. Dorsey transmitting copy of above 
letter. 

Jpr. 18,1885.—Duplicate schedules of allotments and selections, certified and trans¬ 
mitted by Agent Lightner, together with duplicate township plats, showing the 
locations. 

Schedules were examined and entered in tract-book, carefully compared. 

Apr. 27,1885.—Schedules transmitted to Secretary with the report upon the brief pre¬ 
pared by Hon. S. Draper. 

May 1,1885.—Report made t5 Secretary upon appeal of Senator Manderson from de¬ 
cision of Indian Office as communicated to him April 11,1885. 

May 1,1885.—The schedules presented by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs were 
submitted to the President for his approval, with full explanations in the 
case. 

May 1,1885.—Department letter, signed by H. L. Muldrow, Acting Secretary, was 
written to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, stating that the question had been 
raised as to the propriety of the restoration to the public domain of any portion 
of the Santee Sioux Reservation, and as to the power of the President to restore 
to the public domain any portion of said lands, and requesting an early report of 
the views of the Commissioner and recommendations on the subject. 

May. 2,1885.—Indian Office replied, giving history of reservation, and saying it had 
no doubt as to the right of the Executive to restore the surplus lands, nor as to 
the propriety of such action. 

May 11,1885.—The President returned the schedules of allotments to this Department 
with his approval indorsed thereon. 

May 12,1885.—Schedules approved by the President were transmitted to the Com¬ 
missioner of Indian Affairs for further action preliminary to their transmittal to 
the General Land Office for proper action of that office, transmittal to 


THE • DEPARTMENT OF ' THE' INTERIOR. 


27 


May 12,1885.—The Commissioner of Indian Affairs returned to the Department lor 
the information and action of the General Land Office, schedules of selections for 
Santee Sionx Indians, and a schedule showing lauds within Santee Sioux Indian 
Reservation, which were restored to the public domain by Executive order of 
February 9, 1885. 

May 12,1885.—Schedules were transmitted by the Department to Commissioner Gen¬ 
eral Land Office for proper action in x)atentiug said lands, tfec. 

Received in the General Land Office, chief clerk’s diAusion (A), and sent by the 
chief clerk to the registering room, where the letter was briefed, numbered, and 
registered. They were then sent to the chief of the division of public lands (C), 
who turned the matter over to the clerk in charge of the Nebraska section in his 
division. Four clerks in said section were immediately put to work to note, on 
what is called a “ tract-book,” the lands selected for and assigned to the different 
Indians named in the schedules. These notes show what part of the section, 
township, and range in said reservation was selected and assigned to each Indian, 
under what law, the area, the name of the Indian, the number of the selection or 
assignment, and the date the list was approved by the President. 

May 8 , 1885.—The local land officers at Niobrara, Nebr., were furnished by letter, 
prepared in same division (C) and signed by the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office, with rules and regulations to govern them in allowing entries and 
filings on said reservation of land not selected or allotted. 

May 12, 1885.—Copies of the schedules were prepared in same section and division 
(C), and forwarded same day to the local land officers at Niobrara, Nebr. This 
was done to enable them to ascertain what lands not selected by or allotted to 
Indians were subject to entry under the homestead, pre emptiou, and timber- 
culture laws. 

July 1, 1885.—The papers forwarded by the Department were sent to “private land 
claims division ” (D), where 137 patents have been prepared and issued, and where 
others are being issued from time to time as fast as necessary proof is received. 

Item No. 3.—Subject: Open market purchase of supplies for the Indian service. 

March 10,1885.—The Commissioner of Indians Affairs submitted a request based upon 
a letter of the agent of the Warm Springs Indian agency, Oregon, that said agent 
be allowed to expend $500 in the open-market purchase of beef required for school 
at said agency. 

Received at the Department and sent by the chief clerk to the division of In¬ 
dian Affairs March 11, 1885, handed by the chief of the division to clerk of Class 
III who recorded the request upon the “ register of letters received,” and passed to 
clerk of Class II, for examination and for preparation of draft of necessary cor¬ 
respondence, which, when prepared, was handed to the type-writer and by him 
copied on type-writing machine. It was then handed to the chief of the division 
for examination, and from him it was taken to the chief clerk of the Deparment, 
who passed it to the First Assistant Secretary for consideration and signature. 
After being signed, it was returned to the chief clerk, and thence to the division 
of Indian Affairs, where it was press-copied by clerk of Class I, and sent by mes¬ 
senger to the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Indian Affairs, where it was 

receipted for March 12, 1885. . , • . .i t-v ^ 

The letter was transcribed by copyist from press-copy book into the Depart¬ 
ment “ record of letters sent.” 

Item No. 4 .—Subject: Inspection of condition of Cheyenne Indians on Tongue 

River, Montana. 

Juhi 5 1884 —Department telegraphed United States Indian Inspector Barr, that 
cattlemen complain that Northern Cheyennes on Tongue River are destitute, and 
committing depredations on their herds. He was instructed to proceed to that 

locality, investigate fully, and report. 4 . ^ x, x ^ • 

[This tele^'ram was prepared under direction of the Secretary of the Intellor, 
bv chief of Indian division, copied by copyist on type-Avriting machine, signed by 
the Secretary, press-copied by clerk of Class II, and handed to telegraph opera¬ 
tor in the Department. Telegram recordedmpon “ record of letters sent” and 

indexed by clerk of Class I.] ..1 i • x 

4iia 2 1884 --Inspector Barr made full report in accordance with above instruc¬ 
tions Avhich was received on August 11, 1884. Found Indians poor, but quiet, 
feeling neglected by the Government and Avronged by the cattlemen, but had 
made no threats, and he saw no indications of an outbreak. Was unable to find 
anv positive proof of depredations by Indians, except in one case in 1^2 

This report was received, registered, indexed, and synopsis drawn oft by clerk 
of Class III which was copied by type-writer and press-copied in book kept for 
that purpose, and then submitted for the consideration and directions of the 
Secretary of the Interior, who, op— 






28 THE-DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

Aug. 12, 1884, in view of the statements by Inspector Barr, authorized the Commis¬ 
sioner of Indian Affairs to purchase, in open market, beef and ffour to extent of 
$3,000 to relieve the pressing necessities of these Indians. 

[This letter was prepared by direction of the Secretary of the Interior and chief 
of division by clerk of ClassHII, copied by tyi'e-writer, signed by the Secretary, 
press-copied, &c., as in previous action, and taken to office of Commissioner of 
Indian Affairs by department messenger]. 

Aug. 12, 1884.—Received and read by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs; sent to 
files room, where it was briefed and registered, and sent to the finance division 
of the Indian Office for action. In the finance division it was read by the finan¬ 
cial clerk, who, on August 12, 1884, prepared a telegram (which was signed by 
the Acting Commissioner) to Capt. E. P. Ewers, in charge of the Indians in ques¬ 
tion, authorizing him to purchase beef and Hour to an amount not to exceed 
$3,000. 

Aug. 13, 1884.—The book-keeper of the finance division pr^^pared a requisition ou 
the Secretary of the Interior (which was signed by the Commissioner of Indian 
Affairs and copied in the book in the finance division kept for that purpose) for 
the $3,000, with the request that the same be placed to the credit of Captain 
Ewers out of the appropriation “ Support of Northern Cheyennes and Arapahoes, 
1885,” for the purchase of the sujiplies for the Indians in <iuestiou. 

Aug. 13, 1834.—In the finance division of the Interior Department, requisition 
drawn by clerk of Class IV, examined by chief of Finance Division, sent to chief 
clerk, examined by him, signed by the Secretary of the Interior, recorded, and 
sent to the Treasury Department by messenger. 

\^Nole hg Committee: The following table substituted for the four separate tables, 

as given in reports. ] 


Amount and character of business on hand, received, and disposed of in the Indian division 
of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior at the times named. 


Character of busiuesa. 

Pending Jan. 1,1884. 

Received during 
1884. 

Disposed of in 1884. 

1 

Pending Jan. 1,1885. 

Received during 
1885. 

Disposed of in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 1,1886. 

Received during 

1886. 

Disposed of in 1886. 

Pending Jan. 1.1887. 

Received up to Mar. 
1, 1887. 

Disposed of up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 1,1887. | 

Relating to Indian lands .... 


1, 549 

1,548 

1 

1, 513 

1,514 


1,138 

1,137 

1 

146 

243 


Relating to Indian annuities, 






trust funds and. other 














moneys. 


836 

835 

1 

847 

848 


874 

874 


141 

140 

1 

Relating to open-market ex- 









peuditures for supplies, 














services, &c.,for the Indian 














service. 

1 

2,734 

2,734 

1 

2,755 

2,756 

.... 

2, 972 

2, 972 


438 

438 


Relating to contracts and 














expenditures thereunder 














for supplies, &c., for the 














Indian service.. 


354 

354 


432 

432 


525 

525 


30 

30 


Relating to inspection of In- 









dian agencies and schools- 


732 

731 

1 

813 

814 

_ 

1,063 

1,063 


254 

251 


Relating to Indian depreda- 














tion claims.. 


261 

261 


460 

442 

18 

1,372 

1,388 

o 

82 

84 


Relating to miscellaneous 








matters of the Indian serv- 














ice. 


563 

561 

2 

691 

693 

.... 

878 

878 

.... 

164 

164 

.... 










































Tnt: DEPARTMENT OF TitE INTERIOR. 29 


[Note hy Committee.: The following is substituted for six separate sheets and tables.] 

Average amount of business performed, transacted, and disposed of in the Indian division of 
the Office of the Secretary of the Interior, loith the average number of employes therein, and 
the maximum and minimun amount of business disposed of by the employ^ doing the most 
and the least therein during the times specified. 


Months. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Average amount. 

Average employes. 

Average amount. 

Average employes. 

Average amount. 

Average employes. 

January *.. 

632 

6 

624 

6 

1,059 

6 

February . 

548 

0 

592 

6 

710 

6 

March.. 

546 

6 

612 

6 

700 

6 

April. 

728 

6 

6;{3 

6 

743 

6 

May. 

564 

6 

644 

6 

600 

6 

June. 

534 

6 

689 

6 

718 

6 

July. 

861 

6 

741 

6 

770 

6 

August. 

559 

6 

619 

6 

704 

t5 

September. 

543 

6 

463 

6 

627 

6 ' 

October. 

489 

6 

570 

6 

800 

6 

November. 

432 

*5 

616 

G 

633 

6 

December. 

5p8 

*5 

696 

6 

773 

6 

Total averages. 

7, 024 


7, 499 


8, 837 







1887 

(to March 1). 


Average amount. 

Average employes. 

737 

613 

6 

6 





















1,350 




* One employe was transferred to the General Land Office, Nov. 1,1884, and the vacancy was not 
filled till January 1,1885. 

tOneemploy6 resigned August 8, 1886, and vacancy was not filled till September 15, 1886. This 
last change resulted in relieving the division of the employ^ who was most irregular in attendance. 


No account has been kept of the business performed and disposed of by each ein- 
ploy4 in the Indian division during the calendar years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887, to 
March 1, or any part thereof, for the reason that a portion of the time and labor of at 
least four, and often of the entire force, is required for the completion of each matter 
of business, as will be seen from the following statement of the duties of the respect¬ 
ive employes, six in number : 

Chief of division has general charge of the business and management of the em¬ 
ployes of the division ; examines all business matters received before they are passed 
from his desk, and directs as to action to be taken thereon; investigates and pre¬ 
pares for action the unusual and more important matters; prepares instructions 
for movements of and investigations by inspectors of the Indian service, and, gen¬ 
erally, the correspondence based on special instructions of the Secretary and the As¬ 
sistant Secretaries on Indian matters. , 

Clei'Jc of class four is employed as corresponding clerk on the matters next in order 
of importance and intricacy, generally such as affect Indian lands and crimes, con¬ 
tracts for professional services to Indians, &c. 

Clet'Tc of class three is employed on the “Register of Letters Received” and index 
thereto; keeps the liles in order, makes rough drafts of synopses of reports of Indian 
inspectors, superintendent of Indian schools, 4&c. ; examines contracts for Indian sup¬ 
plies, transportation, &c.; accounts of expenditures by Indian inspectors, Indian 
depredation claims, and keeps account of Indian trust funds, stocks, and bonds. 

Cleric of class two is employed as corresponding clerk on routine matters, such as 
requests for authority for expenditures in open market for supplies, services, &c. 

Cleric of class one is employed as type-writer, and copies on type-writing machine 
all drafts of correspondence, statements, synopses of reports, &c., prepared by corre¬ 
sponding clerks and examining clerk (class three) before they are laid before the Sec¬ 
retary or Assistant Secretaries for consideration and final action. He is also em- 
iiloyed by the chief of the division as stenographer when necessary. 

the copyist is employed in transcribing from the press-copy books the approved 
and signed correspondence of the division into the “Permanent record of letters 
sent,” comparing his work usually with the clerk of class two or clerk of class one, 
as either may find time from his other duties. 

If a record had been kept or could now be prepared with any degree of accuracy 
showing the number of business matters disposed of, it would quite probably be made 






























































30 


THE DEJPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


to appear that the clerk of class two disposed of more than clerk of class four, and 
that clerk of class four disposed of more than the chief of the division; but owing 
to the character of the business transacted such a showing would by no means rep¬ 
resent the relative industry, assiduity, or capacity of those employes, nor the impor¬ 
tance and value of the services rendered by them, respectively, during any day, 
mouth, or year. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the Indian division of the Secretary’s Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average 
No. of hours 
employed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

No. days 
Dept, was 
open for 
business. 

Average 
No. days 
absent. 

1884. 

C 

278 

7 

None. 

307 

29 

1885. 

6 

279 

7 

None. 

301J 

22J 

1886. 

6 

283| 

7 

None. 

305 

2lk 

1887 (to March 1). 

6 

47.6 

7 

None. 

48 

1 

& 


This statement is based on the number of days the Department w^as open for busi¬ 
ness. No allowance is made for time and attention devoted to transaction of busi¬ 
ness of the division by employ6s outside of the prescribed office hours, or on days 
when the Department was closed. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ6 present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employe present for the least number of days 
in the Indian division of the Secretary’s Office, Dejiartment of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

Character of business. 

Working days. 

Maximum number of days. 

Minimum number of days. 

/ 

307 

303^ 

242 

301J 

301^ 

251i 

305 

300f 

272 

48 

48 

47i 

f Business relating to Indian 
i affairs. 


In this statement no allowance is made for time devoted to the transaction of busi¬ 
ness pertaining to this division on Sundays, and before and after the established of- 
lice hours. During the i)eriods above specified much time has been devoted by the 
chief of the division to the business of his office, outside of the regular office hours, 
and t he same has been done to a less extent by some of the other employds. 

* - 


PATENTS AND MISCELLANEOUS DIVISION. 

Report of iheptatents <wd miscellaueons dimsion, Secretratfs office, on the methods of husi- 
ness and work, as requested hi/ Senate Select Committee^ and called for bn Department Cir¬ 
cular of March 23, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Washington, June 30, 188T. 

The honorable the Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir : In compliance with Department circular of March 23, 1887, I have the honor 
to submit herewith statements showing the ])rincipal items of business transacted in 
the “patents and miscellaneous division” of the office of the Secretary of the In¬ 
terior, the method of transacting such business, and other information respectinn- the 
amount and character of the wt)rk performed in the tlivision, called for in communi¬ 
cation addressed to you by the Select Committee of the Senate, appointed in [nirsu- 
ance of the resolution of the Senate adopted Marcli 3, 1887. 

Very respectfully, 

EDWARD M. DAWSON, 

Chief of Patents and Miscellaneous Division. 












































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 31 


Tlio following statement shows the principal items of business transacted in the 

patents and miscellaneous division of the Secretary's office, Department of the In¬ 
terior : 

Patents. —Appeals from the action of the Commissioner of Patents in patents and 
trade-mark cases. 

Approval of rules of practice of the Patent Office and of amendments thereto. 

Consideration of requests of the Attorney-General for reports upon applications 
addressed to him for the institution of suits in the name of the United States 
to annul letters patent alleged to have been fraudulently issued. 

Consideration of requests that action be taken upon applications for patents, out 
of the regular order (under Rule 62, Rules of Practice), upon the ground that 
the inventions are of peculiar importance to some branch of the public service. 

Examination and approval of contracts made by Commissioner of Patents for pho- 
tplithographing drawings of patents and the issues of the “ Official Gazette of 
tile Patent Office.’’ 

Authentication of certified copies of patents for use in foreign countries. 

Requests of Attorney-General for certified copies of records and files of the Patent 
Office for use in suits against the Government. 

Securing, through the Treasury Department, the admission, free of duty, of books 
imported for the use of Scientific Library of Patent Office, and of models of in¬ 
ventions. 

Pensions. —Appeals from the action of the Commissioner of Pensions relating to the 
recognition of attorneys and agents in pension and bounty land cases, and the 
payment of their fees. 

Approval of rules and regulations relating to pensions and bounty land. 

Recommendations of the Commissioner of Pensions for the dropping of names from 
the pension-roll. 

Recommendations of the Commissioner of Pensions for the cancellation of pension 
certificates improperly issued. 

Requests of the Commissioner of Pensions for securing (through officers of Depart¬ 
ment of State) medical examination of applicants for pension residing abroad. 

Examination and transmission to Department of Justice of cases submitted by the 
Commissioner of Pensions for criminal proceedings against j^ersous charged 
with violation of pension laws. 

Requests of Commissioner of Pensions for information, to be obtained from War 
Department, respecting the service in Confederate Army of certain applicants 
for pension. 

Approval of leases of rooms and buildings for pension agents. 

Securing, through Treasury Department, quarters in public buildings for pension 
agents. 

Approval of accounts for contingent expenses of pension agencies. 

Requests upon Treasury Department for pension vouchers and checks required 
for use in the Pension Office, and return of the same when not longer needed. 

Affixing seal of Department to bounty-land warrants. 

Lands. —Designation of newspapers for publication of notices of sales of public lauds. 

Approval of contracts for photolithographiug worn and defaced township plats 
and printing maps. 

Bureau of Education. —Correspondence between the Department and Commissioner of 
Education, education in Alaska, &o. 

Bureau of Labor. —Correspondence between the Department and Commissioner of 
Labor. 

Approval of proposed scope of investigations by Bureau of Labor. 

Geological Approval of proposed operations of Survey. 

Monthly reports of Director of Survey. 

Securing through Treasury Department admissions, free of duty, of books and 
instruments imported for the Survey. 

The Territories and the District of Alaska.—k\\ correspondence with the executive offi¬ 
cers relating to the government of the Territories and Alaska. 

Construction and completion of United States penitentiaries in the Territories. 

Polygamy in Utah. 

Receipt and custody of certified copies of executive proceedings in the Territories. 

Supervision of the public buildings and grounds in New Mexico, of which the 
secretary of the Territory is, by law, ex officio custodian. 

Utah Cowmissiow.— Correspondence with Utah Commission relating to duties of the 
Commission, and consideration of their requests for interpretation of statutes 
under which they act. 

Yellowstone National ParA:.—Leases of ground in the Park, and granting privileges for 
furnishing hotel, transportation and other accommodations to visitors. 

Establishing rules and regulations for the government of the Park, and for the 
protection of game and natural curiosities, and generally all matters relating to 
the care and management of the Park. 


52 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

Hot Springs Reservation, Leasinj? of bath-house sites upon the reservation 

and supervision of accommodations furnished and rates charged for baths. 

Maintenance of free baths for indigent invalids. 

Contracts for improvement of Hot Springs Creek. 

Assignment of grounds on reservation for purposes of Army and Navy Hospital, 
and generally all matters relating to the management and improvement of the 
r0S0r VQitioii 

Government Uospiial for the Insane .—Purchase of lands for the use of the hospital. 

Authorizing admission of insane United States convicts and insane persons 
charged with offenses against the United States. • i • 

Annual supplies and the constTuction of buildings for the hospital consideration 
of estimates of articles required, advertisement for proposals, examination and 
scheduling of bids received, preparation of contracts and bonds, and supeiin- 
tending execution of the same. 

Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Authorizing admission of persons of 

teachable age from the District of Columbia. 

Maryland Institution for the Authorizing admission of persons from the Dis¬ 

trict of Columbia, as provided ins ection 4869 of the Revised Statutes. 

Exaimination and trausinissiou to Treasury of accounts of the institution for tu- 
itionof persons admitted as above. 

Pennsylvania Training School for Feeble-minded Children .—Authorizing admission of 
children from the District of Columbia entitled to benefits of the act of June 
16, 1880. 

Examination and transmission to Treasury of accounts of the institution for tu¬ 
ition of persons admitted as above. 

Freedinen^s Hospital .—Leasing of buildings occupied by the hospital. 

Authorizing admission to the hospital. 

Examination of annual estimates of supplies required by hospital, advertisement 
for proposals, examination and scheduling of bids received, preparation of 
contracts for .supplies (and bonds), and superintending the execution of the 
same. 

Hew Pension Building .—All correspondence between the Department and the super¬ 
vising engineer and architect of the Pension Office building 

Reconstruction of the Patent Office Building .—All matters relating to the reconstruction 
of the Patent Office building. 

Approval of contracts for labor and materials, and for new model cases. 

Congressional Library R/difdmy.—Purchase of site for library building. 

Correspondence between the Department and the Congressional Library Build¬ 
ing Commission. 

Attorneys and Agents .—Admission of attorneys and agents to practice before the De¬ 
partment and its bureaus and offices, under regulations established by author¬ 
ity of section 5 act of July 4, 1884. 

Disbarment of attorneys and agents from practice, and consideration of applica¬ 
tions for restoration to practice. 

Advertising .—Authorizing all Department advertising (except for Indian supplies) 
and examination of accounts for advertising to the extent of ascertaining 
whether the service was properly rendered. 

Annual Reports .—Calling for annual reports of all chiefs of bureaus and other subor¬ 
dinate officers required by law or by custom to report to the Secretary of the 
Interior. 

Examination of annual reports when received (excepting reports of Commis¬ 
sioners of Indian Atfairs and General Land Office) and reading of proof. 

Preparation of data upon subjects confided to this division for nse in the annual 
report and in special reports of the Secretary of the Interior to Congress. 

Accounts for transportation .—Exaniiiiation and transmis-sioii to Treasury of accounts 
for transportation over laud-grant and bonded railroads furnished ofticers of 
the Department and bureaus (except in Indian and land service). 

Enrolled bills .—Consideration of enrolled bills relating to the business of this Depart¬ 
ment, referred by the President for report of any reasons why they should not 
receive his approval, and preparing reports to the President thereon. 

Census .—Matters relating to the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth census. 

Claims of deputy marshals for extra compensation for services in taking eighth 
and ninth census. 

Rent of buildings .—Preparing and superintending the execution of leases of rooms and 
buildings rented for the use of the Department and bureaus in the city of 
Washington. 

Low grounds of the District of Columbia .—Consideration of applications for deeds to 
lots in the “ low grounds of the District of Columbia,’’ under act of .July 1,1879, 
and preparation of deeds. 

To this division are also sent for record and proper disposition all communica¬ 
tions received which do not relate to the business of this Department. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


33 


I be above statement embraces the principal subjects of the business transacted, in 
this division during the period covered by this report. In addition there is a laro-e 
amount of business of which it is not practicable to make any classification, assigned 
to the division under its designation of “ Miscellaneous.” It is varied in its charac¬ 
ter, much of it important, requiring caretul consideration and treatment, and of such 
volume as to occupy a very considerable portion of the time and attention of the em¬ 
ployes of the division. 

In the statistical tables (D 1 and 3) of this report the business classified under the 
head of ‘^Miscellaneous business” includes not only the miscellaneous matters herein 
above referred to, but also business upon the subjects named in this statement (B), 
not specially designated in Table D. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the jiatents and 
miscellaneous divisions of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the Interior, 
including one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said 
division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the Secretary’s office, 
and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such 
principal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the 
employds through whoso hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally 
disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The business transacted in this division is usually presented in the form of written 
communications addressed to the Secretary of the Interim’. As a rule these are sent 
to the division by the chief clerk of the Department, from whose desk the mail for 
the office of the Secretary is distributed, but others are received directly from the 
Secretary, First Assistant Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. For convenience of ex- 
presvsion, in this portion of this report all matters of business received will be classed 
under the general term of “ letters.” 

The permanent records kept in the division are a register of “ Letters received ” 
and a register of “ Letters sent,” the purposes of which are sufficiently indicated in 
their titles, and their form and extent will be hereinafter stated. 

There is also a separate roll kept of attorneys and agents admitted to practice be¬ 
fore the Department and its bureaus. 

Letters received in the division are at once examined by the chief of the division 
sufficiently to ascertain their purport and whether they are of a nature requiring im¬ 
mediate or special attention, and the more important are briefed by him. They are 
then passed to the clerk (class 4) in charge of the register of “Letters received,” 
who stamps them (and also the iuclosures, if any) with the name of the division and 
the date of receipt, and briefssuch as have not been brieied by the chief of division. 
This brief consists of the name and address of the writer, or, if from an officer 
of the Government, his official designation without his name, the date of the letter, 
a concise statement of its contents, and the number of inclosures. The entry in the 
register of “ Letters received” is a cojiy of this brief, each entry being numbered 
consecutively and the same number placed upon the letter and inclosures. A note 
is also made upon this record of any action taken upon the letter and also of the 
number of any prior entry relating to the same subject. The clerk in charge of the 
register of “ Letters received ” keeps an index of the same, by the names of the 
writers, or, in the case of officers of the Government, by their official titles, and by 
subjects, reference being made to the number of the entry in the record of letters re¬ 
ceived. 

If the i>roper disposition of a letter is its reference to some other Department or 
to a Bureau or officer of this Departmenr, an appropriate indorsement is ])laced thereon 
for signature by the Secretary, one of the Assistant Secretaries, or the chief clerk, as 
the nature of the case, under the rules of the Deiiartment, may require; it is then 
sent to the chief clerk, and when returned signed, is disjiatched to its destination. 

Letters requiring final action in the division are, after registration in the “ Letters 
received,” returned to the desk of the chief of the division, upon whom devolves 
the consideration and disposition of all matters of business assigned to the division 
(with the exceptions stated hereafter), and by whom are prepared in rough the re¬ 
sults of such consideration in the form of a letter, decision, contract, & c., as the case 
may be, w'hich is then copied by the type-writer (clerk of class 1) initialed by the 
chief of division, presented, through the chief clerk, for signature by the Secretary 
or one of the Assistant Secretaries, and when returned signed, is ])ress-copied and 
mailed or dispatched by messenger. 

The consideration of appeals from the action of the Commissioner of Pensions re¬ 
lating to the recognition of attorneys in pension cases and the payment of their 
fees, of recommendations of the Commissioner of Pensions for the prosecution of 
])ersons charged with violations of the pension laws, and of applications for admis¬ 
sion to practice before the Department and its bureaus, is assigned to a clerk of class 

3884 INT- 3 



34 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


2, who prepares the decisions or letters, which are then reviewed by the chief of di¬ 
vision, copied by the type-writer (clerk of class 1), initialed, submitted for signature 
of the Secretary, &c., as in other cases. When not occupied in the work above speci¬ 
fied tlie clerk of class 2 considers such other business as may be assigned to him by 
the chief of division. 

The register of “Letters sent’^ is kept by the type-writer and clerk (of class 1). 
This register is a permanent record, into which are copied from the press-copy books 
all the communications sent from the Department relating to the business of the 
division. If the letter is an answer to a letter received, the number of the entry of 
the latter in the register of “ Letters received ” is noted in the margin of the record 
of the letter sent. An index is kept of letters sent, by names or official titles of the 
persons to whom addressed and by subjects, refeiring to the i^age of the record. 

Letters retained in the division are, after receiving final action (the purport of 
which is indorsed upon them), placed in the files according to the numbers given them 
when received. 

In the samples hereafter given it will be understood (to avoid repetition) that all 
matters of business take the course above outlined. 

Samples of items of principal business matters transacted in the patents and mis¬ 
cellaneous division, office of the Secretary of the Interior. 

Sample No. 1. 

' PATENT APPEAL. 

The rules of the Department governing appeals to the Secretary of Interior provide 
that the petition therefor shall bo filed with the Commissioner of Patents Avithin ten 
days after the date of the action to which it relates thatthe Commissioner shall fi>r- 
Avatd the papers to the Secretary Avith a report embodying the material facts of the 
case and the grounds of his action thereon, and notify the appellant when the report 
has been submitted. Within twenty days after the report has been submitted appel¬ 
lant shall file a printed brief, and, in contested cases, the written acknowledgment 
of the appellee that he has been furnished with a copy of the brief, shoAving the date 
of receipt. The appellee, or any party opposing the appeal, may, Avithin twenty days 
after receipt of appellant’s brief, file a printed brief in reply. A hearing, limited to 
one hour fi>r each side, allowed in such cases as the Secretary may desire to hear the 
X>arties. 

r Interference. Improvement in printing machines.—Ai^peal from decision 

Gill a of Commissioner of Patents awarding priority i f iuA’ention to Gill. 

Patent No. 238,720, granted Walter Scott March 8, 1881. 

Application of George C. Gill for patent, filed March 12, 1881. 

The Commissioner of Patents transmits appeal of Walter Scott, by his attorney, 
from tlie decision of the Commi§,sioner in the case of Scott vs. Gill, together with the 
pa-iiers in the case and a report of his action to Avhich the appeal relates and the 
grounds thereof. Received in patents and miscellaneous division, stamped, re¬ 
corded, indexed (under “Commissiouei' of Patents” “ Scott” and “ Gill”) the same 
as hereinbefore stated generally in respect of “ Letters received.” 

Appellant’s printed brief and notice of service of copy of brief upon appellee filed 
Avithin time prescribed by the rule. 

Printed brief of appellee filed. 

No oral hearing in this case. 

The case Avas examined by the chief of division and a decision prepared by him 
reversing the action of the Commissioner of Patents and awarding priority of inven¬ 
tion to Scott; copied by type-writer, initialed by chief of division, submitted to the 
Assistant Attorney-General for the Interior Department, by Avhom it Avas aiiproved, 
initialed and returned to division. Submitted through the chief clerk for signature 
of the Secretary, signed, returned, press-copied, and recorded as in other ca.ses of 
“Letters sent,” hereinbefore detailed. The decision and the papers relating to the 
case, belonging to the files of the Patent Office, Avere then sent to the Commissioner 
of Patents, Avho informed the parties of the result of the appeal. 

Memorandum .—Immediately after the decision of this case by the Department, a 
petition was filed in the supreme court for the District of Columbia (the cause en¬ 
titled The United States of America ex. rel. Richard Roe et al. vs. BenJ. Butter- 
worth, Commissioner of Patents) for a writ of mandamus commanding the Commis¬ 
sioner to receiAm the final fee and to issue letters patent to the relators as assignees 
of Gill uotAvithstanding the decision of the Secretary of the Interior. The case was 
heard in general term and the mandamus issued, the court holding in efiect that the 
authority of the Secretary of the Interior to review the acts of the Commissioner of 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


35 


Patents does not extend to snch as are judicial or quasi-jndicial in their nature. The 
case was carried to the Supreme Court of the United States, where the judgment of 
the court below was affirmed in a decision dated November 3, 1884. Since that 
date the appeals in the class of patent cases covered by the decision have not been 
considered by the Secretary, snch consideration being confined to cases growing out 
of the administrative acts of the Commissioner. 


Sample No. 2. 

CONTRACTS FOR SUPPLIES. 

(Ill the recital below all '*ho labor referred to is performed in the patents and mis¬ 
cellaneous division unless otherwise stated.) 

The Superintendent of the Government Hospital for the Insane (for example) sub¬ 
mits to the Secretary of the Interior an itemized estimate of the quantities (and qual¬ 
ity) of articles required for the use of the hospital during the ensuing fiscal year, 
consisting mainly of meats, provisions, groceries, drygoods, clothing, shoes, medicines, 
hardware, fuel, ice, lumber, &c., aggregating about 450 items. The estimate is ex¬ 
amined and a copy made of it in the division and a circular of specitications, instruc¬ 
tions to bidders, &c., is prepared, which, together with the list of supplies, is sent 
to the stationery and printing division with a reqnisit.on for the necessary printing. 
Proof is read and corrected in tbe patents and miscellaneous division, to which also 
the blanks are sent when printed. After the blanks arer^^ceived advertisements are 
ordered in a sufficient number of newspapers to the effect that until a date specified 
sealed proposals will be received by the Secretary of the Interior for furnishing the 
supplies embraced in the schedule. The printed schedules, &c., are mailed or deliv¬ 
ered to aiiplicants therefor, and, without application, to manufacturers and dealers 
known to the Department through previous bids. Proposals are rei^uired to be sub¬ 
mitted in duplicate. Immediately prior to the date specified for opening the propos- 
sals, a board of three persons is appointed by the Secretary of the Interior (through 
the appointment division) to open and consider the proposals received and recommend 
awards of contracts for the supplies. This board usually consists of the superintend¬ 
ent of the hospital, the chief of the patents and miscellaneous division, ami one other 
person selected from the office of the Secretary or from a Bureau of the Department. 
The bids are opened by the board in the presence of such bidders as may attend. The 
proposals are then returned to the division, whore a schedule is made showing the 
names of each of the bidders with the price at which each article is offered set oppo¬ 
site. With this schedule the board then proceeds with its examination awarding to 
the lowest bidder, where the price is reasonable, except in respect of items whore sam¬ 
ples are required, in which cases the quality, as evidenced by the samples, as well as 
the price of the articles offered is considered. Upon the conclusion of its labors the 
board makes a report to the Secretary of the Interior, accompanied with a list of the 
bidders to whom it recommends that contracts be awarded and with the accepted 
price set opposite each item upon the li.st of articles. This report is received in the 
division, recorded, &c., as in the case of other letters received, submitted to the Sec¬ 
retary with an indorsement of approval with such modifications as may be deemed 
proper, and when approved the contracts in duplicate and the bonds are prepared in 
the division, sent to the contractors for signature, and when returned are carefully 
examined to ascertain if they are properly executed. The contracts are then sub¬ 
mitted to the Secretary for signature, and when signed the seal of the Department is 
attached thereto. The certified checks of bidders (required by the regulations of the 
Department to be submitted with each bid as guarantee of good faith) are then re¬ 
turned to the bidders. One copy of the contract is then sent to the finance division 
of the Department for transmission to the Treasury, and the duplicate, with a copy ot 
every proposal received, is made a part of the return required by section 3744 of the 
Revised Statutes to be filed in the “returns office.” A letter is then written to the 
superintendent of the hospital informing him of the names of contractors and the 
iirices for supplies during the fiscal year. . ^ 

(The same general course is pursued in the letting of all contracts for supplies and 
for materials and labor throngvh this division.) 


Sample No. 3. 

Hot Springs, Arkansas.— Assignment of site upon the reservation for the Army and 
Navy Hospital. Act of Congress, approved June 30, 1883 (Army appropriation act), 
making appropriation for the erection of an Army and Navy Hospital upon the Gov¬ 
ernment reservation at Hot Springs, Ark. 

Letter from Secretary of War, inclosing reportsoi Surgeons-Geueral, Army and Navy, 
describing the site desired, and requesting its assignment to the purposes of the Army 

and Navy Hospital. , . i i i. w i • 4 . 4 . 

Letter to Secretary of War, that the plan submitted contenqilated assignment to 
Army and Navy Host»ital of more than half of the reservation front and the removal 
of two'of the most substantial bath houses already in operation. It takes in all the 



3G 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


iivailable batli-bouse sites both on the west and south lines of reservation. It calls 
for unuecessarj^ sacrifice of private property, and by the removal of the bath-houses 
will.decrease bathing faeilities below needs of i)ublic. In conclusion, suggests that 
200 feet in depth along reservation front should not be included in hospital site. 

Secretary of War replies, inclosing copy of indorsements of Siirgeons-General of 
Army and Navy, that it was necessary for sanitary and hygienic purposes that the 
hospital should have entire control of grounds in its vicinity down to the creek, and 
that it would be highly objectionable to have part of the front set apart for public 
purposes. That it is probable that the hospital will require a small bath-house on 
site now occupied by City Hall; at all events the creek frontage is considered requisite 
to fulfill all the j)urpose8 intended bj"^ the hospital establishment. It was not pro¬ 
posed to remove the Ozark and Rammelsburg houses as long as they are properly con¬ 
ducted, but the revenue from them should accrue to War Department. 

Secretary of the Interior replies that existing law makes it the duty of the super- 
ititeudent appointed by the Secretary of Interior to collect all water rents. That 
Department has no authority of law, therefore, to transfer the collection of rents (of 
Rammelsburg and Ozark) to War Department, nor does it appear expedient that the 
supervision of business of the reservation should be divided as proposed. That the 
Department adheres to views set forth in former correspondence that the entire front 
(on Hot Springs Creek) for a depth of 200 feet should be held for bath-houses for 
general use. 

Secretary of War reliuipiishes claim for part of frontage occupied by Ozark and 
Rammelsburg and Mud Hole, and asks for a frontage of 200 feet. 

Hon P Dunn, House of Representatives, files protest of physicians at Hot Springs, 
Ark., against including any of the bath-houses at Hot Springs in the site for the 
Army and Navy Hospital. 

Secretary of Interior, in reply to Secretary of War, states that in determining the 
e.x ent of the site for the hospital the proportion which the Army and Navy bear to 
th^ whole people should bo considered. In this view regards the site allotted to hos¬ 
pital, excluding the strip200 feet deep along the front, as a liberal allowance. Deems 
it Miest to retain all the frontage for general use. 

Secretary of War asks that the Department will designate on map the 200 feet 
which it thinks should be reserved. 

Secretary of Interior replies, returning map, marking olf 200 feet width to bo re¬ 
served except 100 feet, commencing from southern extremity of the reservation, which 
100 feet front is allotted to the hospital. 

Secretary of War requests that additional ground adjoining Army and Navy Hos- 
jiital at Hot Springs, Ark., bo set aside for use of the same. 

Secretary of Interior replies that the ground referred to is already leased as a site 
for a bath house,^ therefore Department could not comply with reiiuest. 

Secretary of War transmits tracing of the topographical map of that portion of the 
Plot Springs Reservation which has been set aside for the Army and Navy Hospital. 

Secretary of War incloses letter from Capt. J. W. Jacobs, acting assistant quarter- 
masrer, with indorsement of Quartermaster-General, renewing request that lOU feet of 
reservation front at Hot Springs be assigned for purposes of Army and Navy Hos¬ 
pital. 

Letter Secretary of InteDor to Secretary of War, referring to statement in previous 
correspondence that the parcel of land desired by Captain Jacobs had been leased as 
a site for a private bath-house. That the said lease is still binding upon the Govern¬ 
ment, and it is, therefore, not within the power of the Department to assign the lot 
in (piestion for hospital purposes. 

Secretary of Interior to Secretary of War, that it having been represented to the 
Department that War Department had decided not to retain for use of Army and Navy 
Hospital the 100 feet along front of reservation set apart for that purpose, that this 
Department be advised whether such conclusion had been reached. 

Secretary of War states in reply to above letter that not only the 100 feet referred 
to but the whole front lying between the Rammelsburg bath-house on the north and 
the limits of the reservation on the south sliould bo retained for hospital luirposes. 

Secretary of War to Secretary of Interior, inclosing copy of letter from surgeon in 
charge of the Army and Navy Hospital at Hot Springs, and of indorsement of Sur^reon- 
General, requesting that the western line of hospital grounds be extended 20 to 25 feet 
toward the creek. 

Letter of Secretary of War referred to suiierintendent of Hot Springs Reservation 
for report and recommendation. 

Superintendent of reservation to Secretary of Interior, reporting upon request of 
Surgeon-General United States Army for change in western bonndarv line of the site 
allotted to the Army and Navy Hospital. 

Lebter to Secretary of War in re]ily to his request, informing him that the matter 
of change in boundary line was referred to superintendent of reservation who after 
<*onsultation with the surgeon in charge of hospital, recommends to Department for 
approval the allowance of an additional strip of land on the west of present western 
boundary lino of hospital grounds, varying in width from 10 to 25 feet, to conform to 


the department of TliE interior. 


37 


natural slope of the grouiul, and iiupuiing whether the addition proposed hy the 

Sixtistactory to War Department. Attention invited to so much 
ot letter oi superintendent as relates to that part of the site heretofore assigned to 
hospital bp Oity Hall lot,’^ running 100 feet along the reservation front by a depth 
OI about 200 leet. As the lot in question is not essential to the administration of the 
hospital, consideration is requested of the question whether it may not be excluded 
iiom the site assigned to the hospital in order that it may be devoted to other and 
more useful purposes. 

Secretary of Interior, relative to change in bouudarj’' (western) 
ot Army and Navy Hospital site at the Hot Springs. Accepts the additional strip as 
proposed and relinquishes to Interior Department'the 100 feet front on corner of Re¬ 
serve avenue, ‘‘old City Hall lot.” 

[2^ole hij Committee: Ihe following has been substituted for the twenty-three .sheets 
of tables as given in report and the figures correctly copied.] 

riie following statement shows the amount and cluiracfer of business on hand, re¬ 
ceived, and disposed of in the patents and miscellaneous division of the office of the 
Secretary of the Interior at the times named > 


Character of business. 

p 

CJ 

P 

a; 

1 

'P'-h 

bO 

O S 

41 

Disposed o f | 
in 1884. 

P 

rt 

^ lO 

P 

<j 

u 

^ to 

n 

•SI” 

o 

p-( 

Disposed 0 f 1 
in 1885. j 

p 

urOC 

.2- 

p’^ 

4) 

As 

P 

0 

^ 00 
0!" 

0 

w 

Disposed of 
in 1886. 1 

P 

a 

Ur JO 
.2^ 

a 

<v 

Ah 

Received up to 

Mar. 1, 1887. 

Disposed of up 

toMar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1, 1887. 

Yellowstone National Paik 














and its management. 

2 

140 

142 


139 

139 


136 

136 


11 

10 

1 

Hot Springs Koservation 














and its management. 

7 

85 

92 


102 

102 


65 

65 


7 

7 


Goveinment Hospital for 














Insane and its manage- 














ment. 


2.50 

250 


286 

286 



337 


5 

5 


Columbia Institution for 









Deaf and Dumb and its 














management. 


8 

8 


4 

4 


5 

5 





Maryland Institution for 














the Blind and its manage- 














ment. 


13 

13 


6 

6 


12 

12 


1 

1 


Pennsylvania Institution 











for Feeble-Minded Chil- 



• 











dren and its management. 


1 

1 


5 

5 


6 

6 


2 

2 


The Eighth, Ninth, and 














Tenth Census. 

1 

6.5 

66 


58 

58 


6 

6 





Cases from Patent Ofiice— 













appeals, requests, reports, 














61:0. 

24 

19G 

t224 


202 

202 

_ 

237 

235 

2 

39 

38 

3 

United States Geological 














Survey and its business .. 


48 

48 


149 

149 


121 

121 


18 

18 


Bureau of Education and 







its business. 


58 

58 


30 

30 


49 

49 


3 

2 

1 

Freedmen’s Hospital and 











its management . 


1, 622 

1.622 


1, 915 

1, 915 


2 070 

2 070 


237 

237 


"NTew Pension Biiihlinp-. 


45 

45 


52 

52 


41 

41 


7 

7 


Leases by Department of 










buildings, repairs, &c- 


30 

30 

.... 

41 

41 

.... 

30 

30 

.... 

1 

1 

.... 

Department advertising ... 


26 

26 

- - •. 

33 

33 

.... 

24 

24 

. - . 

1 

1 

- . - . 

Territorial matters — re- 














ports and miscellaneous 














business. 

1 

56 

57 


133 

133 

.... 

125 

125 

.... 

29j 

28 

1 

Territorial penitentiaries. 














their erection, 61:c . 

1 

23 

24 

• • • • 

19 

19 

.... 

27 

27 

.... 

2 

2 

• • . • 

Appeals from Pension 














Ofiice as to attorneys. 














tlieir fees &c .. 


109 

41 

68 

181 

190 

59 

162 

98 

123 

24 

31 

116 

Disbarment and suspension 














nf a.gent.s and attorneys.. 


80 

t91 


22 

84 


79 

152 

9 

12 

11 

10 

Applications of disbarred 













or suspended attorneys 





4J 









for restoration, &c. 


61 

t89 

2 


62 

1 

36 

56 

2 

14 

12 

4 

Cases for criminal prosecu- 














tion for violating pension 











' 



laws A'C ........ . 


109 

109 


183 

183 


288 

288 


24 

24 


Applications for admission 














to practice... 


465 

465 


1, 043 

1, 043 


1,254 

1,254 


400 

400 


Miscellaneous business. 










&,c* . 


2, 240 

2, 240 


2,162 

2,162 


3, 277 

3, 267 

10 

561 

571 


Bureau af Labor and its 










business. 





30 

30 

.... 

31 

31 



’ 1 

.... 


* See note to Statement B. 

t Excess of work disposed of over total received ; that in many cases more letters than one are writ¬ 
ten in dispovsing of each case. 












































































38 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


\_Note hy Committee: The following has been substituted for five sheets of tables 
as given in report.] 

The following statement shows the average amount of business performed, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of in the patents and miscellaneous division of the office of the 
Secretary of the Interior, with the average number of employes therein, and the 
maximum and minimum amount of business disposed of by the employ^ doing the 
most and the least therein during the times specihed: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Month.s. 










1 




Average 

Average 

Average 

i Average 

Average 

Average 


amount. 

employes. 

amount. 

employes. 

amount. 

employes. 

January . 

463 

3 

553 

o 

O 

702 

4 

February. 

45d 

3 

577 

4 

TWi 

4 

March . 

471 

3 

587 

4 

71£ 

4 

April. 

477 

3 

574 

3 

700 

4 

May. 

482 

2 

587 

3 

712 

4 

Jupo. 

623 

3 

583 

4 

712 

4 

July. 

46!i 

3 

578 

4 

707 

4 

August. 

453 

3 

557 

4 

694 

3 

September. 

459 

3 

598 

4 

696 

2 

Octobe*’. 

476 

3 

573 

4 

697 

4 

November. 

458 

3 

583 

4 

699 

4 

December. 

455 

3 

578 

3 

701 

3 

Total averages.. 

5, 742 


6, 928 


8, 435 






1887 

(to March 1). 


Average 

amount. 

Average 

employes. 

746 

763 

4 

4 

4 




















1, 509 




Department regulations do not require that an account should be kejit of the 
amount of business transacted and disposed of by each employd of this division. It 
is impracticable to supply the required data. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the patents and miscellaneous division of the Secretary’s 
office, Department of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

N umber 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
of days 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 

Eemarks. 

1884. 

3 

234 

7 

0 

In the preparation of this 
statement public holi- 
(hiys, annual and sick 
leave were deducted. 

1885. 

4 

248 

7 

0 

1886. 

4 

247 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1) __- - - 

4 

48 

7 

0 





The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employe present for the least number of days, 
in the patents and miscellaneous division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the 
Interior, during the periods specified; 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Character of business. 

Maximum number of days*.. 

283 

296 

286 

275 

48 

43 

See statement “B” and state¬ 
ment “D9 for respective years. 

Minimum number of days.. 

255 

275 


* In the preparation of this estimate public holidays, Sundays, annual and sick leave were deducted. 


I 























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


39 


FINANCIAL Ai^I) DISBURSING DIVISION. 

lieyori of the financial and disbursing diiision, Secretary’s office, on. the methods of busi¬ 
ness and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department cir¬ 
cular of March 1S87. 

Stuteiuent sbowiut^ the principal items of business transacted in tbe iinaucial and 
disbursing division of tbe Secretary’s office, Department of tbe Interior. 

Tbis division bas charge of tbe financial affairs of the Department. 

Tlie average financial business of tbis division during tbe years 1884,1885,1886, and 
to March 1,1887, amounted per annum to $90,000,000, and from January 1,1884, to 
March 1,1887, to $28.5,000,000. .r » , 

Tbe average disbursements of tbe disbursing clerk under bis bond during tbe same 
period have amounted, per annum, to $5,185,000, and for the three years and two 
months to $15,546,120.05, including payment of vouchers from 5 cents to five or more 
thousands of dollars. The accounts of disbursements from January 1,1884, to De¬ 
cember 31,1886, have been adjusted by tbe accounting officers of tbe Treasury and 
found correct. 

Tbe work of the division is current in its character, and must be and is disposed 
of each day. 

There is no pending or undisposed-of business on band in tbis division, nor was 
there any on band at the end of either of the calendar years mentioned. 

Tbe cash transactions of tbe disbursing division are balanced at tbe close of each 
day’s work. A general cash balance is made at tbe end of each week, and a state¬ 
ment is prepared and forwarded by tbe Secretary to the Treasurer of tbe United 
States, and shows tbe amount during tbe week credited to the disbursing clerk, tbe 
amount disbursed, and tbe cash on band. Tbe cash on band is counted by tbe chief 
clerk of tbis Department, who certifies to tbe correctness of tbe same to tbe Secre¬ 
tary. Tbe first of tbe following week tbe Treasurer of tbe United States returns tbis 
statement to the Secretary of tbe Interior, with bis indorsement thereon, as to tlie 
amonut of cash on band so far as it relates to tbe disbursing clerk’s deposits with the 
Treasurer or any of tbe assistant treasurers. Tbe object of tbis weekly cash state¬ 
ment is to prevent disbursing clerks having in their possession larger balances than 
is required for immediate, use. 

Tbe quantity and character of tbe work performed by tbe employes of tbis division 
during tbe time heretofore mentioned was about tbe same, and was equally distrib¬ 
uted. Said employes were required to be first-class book-keepers and" accountants, 
and as such rendered excellent service, and performed their duties faithfully and con¬ 
scientiously. The nature of the work being entirely financial, requiring both an ac¬ 
curate and honest handling of tbe public funds and a practical knowledge of book¬ 
keeping and tbe system of accounts, it was found impracticable to keep a record of 
individual work, other than tbe statements of each employ^ hereto attached. 

Tbe employes of tbis division from January 1, 1884, to March 1, 1887, consisted of 
1 chief, 9 clerks, 1 copyist. 

Tbe average number of days devoted to business in each year by each of said em- 
l)loy6s was 365, less Sundays, public holidays, and tbe regular annual 30 days leave 
of absence. The time each day so employed was from 9 to 4 o’clock. 

Tbe attention of each employ^ to duty was faithful and constant, and no time was 
lost on account of sickness or other causes. Said duty was performed by each em- 
ploy6 in person and not at any time by proxy. 

A recaiiitulation of tbe annexed statements of tbe employ6s of tbis division of tbe 
work performed during tbe years 1884, 1885, 1886, and to March 1, 1887, shows tbe re¬ 
sult of tbe work of tbe division during said time. 

Requisitions issued by tbe Secretary of tbe Interior on the Secretary of tbe Treas¬ 
ury in settlement of adjusted accounts and for advances to disbursing, pension, In¬ 


dian, and land agents: 

1884 .-.. 8,517 

1885 . 8,590 

1886 .. 9,872 

1887, to March 1. 1,581 


28,560 

Of tbis number, 16,250 contained each from one to forty beads of appropriations 
charged. 

A fair average of five charges each made ledger entries numbering 81,250. 


Disbursements 1884, per vouchers 1 to 11445 . $5,197,038 40 

Disbursements 1885, per vouchers 1 to 12075 . 5,351,559 16 

Disbursements 1886, per vouchers 1 to 10385 . 4,997,522 49 

Disbursements 1887, January and February, per vouchers 1 to 1715 ... 225,068 26 


Total disbursements from January 1, 1884, to March 1, 1887. 15,771,188 31 












40 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


These vouchers when cashed were lirst entered on the day journal, then on the cash- 
hook, then on the ledger, and then on the abstracts of disbursements in duplicate, 
making a total of five entries of each voucher. Each voucher was also copied ver¬ 
batim in the record books. 

The number of checks drawn by the disbursing clerk on the Treasurer of the United 
States and the assistant treasurer at New York, in payment of vouchers princii)aliy 
outside of Washington amounted to in— 


1884 . 11,487 

1885 . 12,720 

1886 . 13,069 

1887 . 2, 013 


Total number of checks drawn from January 1, 1884, to March 1, 1887.. 39,289 

Each check before mailing Avas carefully compared with the letter of inclosure and 
with the name and amount of voucher for which it was drawn in i)ayment. 

Letters Avritten, general and miscellaneous, in— 


1884 . 10,101 

1885 . 13,199 

1886 . 13,106 

1887 . 2,072 


38,478 

Letters received in acknowledgment of drafts and on general financial subjects : 


1884 . 13,268 

1885 . 11,395 

1886 . 11,640 

1887 . 1,379 


Letters briefed, recorded, and filed 


37,651 
37,651 


Letters Avritteu and transcribed from press-copy book to general record books and in¬ 
dexed : 


1884 

1885 

1886 
1887 


712 

829 

642 

146 


2,329 

Examination, entry, and forwarding to the United States Treasury of weekly cash 
statements of disbursing agents, showing amount of credits, disbursements, and 
cash on hand at end of each week : 


1884 

1885 

1886 
1887 


480 

480 

480 

80 


1,520 

The number of appropriation warrants receiA^ed from United States Treasury in 1884, 
1885, 1886, and 1887, recorded and entered on the ledgers of this Department, Avas 
143. 

The Avarrauts embraced all the appropriations to be expended under the direction 
of the Secretary of the Interior, making a total of appropriation headings on the 
ledger of 2,545 ; an average of 845 appropriations for each year. 

Of these appropriations, 150 were disbursed annually by the disbursing clerk, and 
the vouchers for the same had to be entered on his i)er8onal ledger, cash-book, jour¬ 
nal, and accounts'Current. 

He is required to render his accounts quarterly to the Treasury Department for set¬ 
tlement. 

Payments from the remaining appropriations were made principally on general set¬ 
tlements, stated and certified by the accounting officers of the Treasury. 

Statements were received monthly from the Treasurer of the United States and as¬ 
sistant treasurer at New York, reporting the number of checks, drawn on those places 
of deposit by the disbursing clerk, that Avere presented and paid. These statements 


I 




























fltE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


41 


were conij)iire(l and cliecked with the check-book of the disbursing clerk containing 
the numbers reported as having been presented and paid as follows: 

Checks rejiorted as paid : 


1884 

188;-) 

1886 

1887 


8,949 
10,478 
9,517 
1 , 426 


50,370 

All accounts of the disbursing agents for the Plospital for the Insane, Institution for 
the Deaf and Dumb, Geological Survey, Hot Springs Reservation, Howard University, 
Yellowstone National Park, Railroad Office, &c., were sent to this division for ex¬ 
amination prior to being transmitted to the United States Treasury for final adjust¬ 
ment. Said accounts were rendered quarterly. 

The number of accounts received were: 


1884 

1885 

1886 
1887 


65 

72 

126 

42 


305 

With an averag.e of 50 vouchers to each account, the total number of vouchers ex¬ 
amined amounted to 15,250. 

The Uetiirns office .—Connected with this divisisou is the Returns Office, an office 
established by Congress, act June 3,1862, Revised Statutes, section 512, for the filing 
of copies of all contracts made by the War, Navy, and Interior Departments. 

Number of contracts received, acknowledged, briefed, and filed : 


1884 . 


1885 . 


1886. 


1887 . 



12,454 


In addition to the work herein mentioned, this division has the preparation and com¬ 
pilation of the annual estimates for the Department and its various bureaus and offices, 
the time and labor on which cannot be tabulated or estimated : considerable care and 
attention must be given to the same from the time work commences thereon until the 
final passage of the appropriation bills by Congress. 

The pay-rolls of the Department, its bureaus and offices, embraced a total number of 
employes, clerical and per diem, per annum, amounting to 3,500, each one of whom 
was paid by this division. 

Exhibit A. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the financial and 
disbursing division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the Interior, in¬ 
cluding one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said divis¬ 
ion, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the financial and disburs¬ 
ing office, and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of 
such principal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and 
the employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considerd 
and acted u^ion, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is 
finally disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

All moneys appropriated by Congress for the service of this Department are brought 
upon the ledgers through ajipropriation warrants, which are prepared at the Treasury 
Department. 

These warrants give in detail the amounts appropriated under each specified item in 
the appropriation act, and the proper titles of appropriations to be credited. The 
warrants are first sent for record to the Auditor and Comptroller of the Treasury hav¬ 
ing cognizance of the appropriations, then to the Bureau of this Department having- 
like cognizance of the same ; by the Bureau they are forwarded to the Secretary, and 
by him to the financial division, and from its chief to the requisition clerk of the De¬ 
partment, who records them in the warrant book. They are then initialed by said 
chief and indorsed by the Secretary as having been recorded, and are forwarded to 
the Second Comptroller for file, thus insuring uniformity in titles and accuracy in 
amounts in all the offices of ther Government interested in the appropriatious therein 
contained. 

















42 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


All nilvauces of funds to agents of this Departineut are made by requisitions drawn 
Upon the requests of the Bureau officers having supervision of the agents. 

The agents are charged and held responsible under their bonds for all funds so ad¬ 
vanced. The requisitions take the same course through the Treasury Department as 
the claims requisitions mentioned below. 

CLAIMS UNDER CONTRACTS WITH THE INDIAN OFFICE. 

The claimant forwards his vouchers to the Indian Office, and after examination and 
veritication with contracts as to prices, the vouchers are transmitted to the Second 
Auditor, Avho, after examination and veritication, states the account, giving name and 
address of claimant, amount due, and the apiiropriations to be charged. The account 
thus stated by the Auditor is forwarded to the Scicoud Comptroller, who certities to the 
correctness of the Auditor’s statement of the account. The Comptroller then returns 
the certitied account to the Indian Office. The Commissioner then makes a written 
request to the Secretary of the Interior for a requisition on the Secretary of the Treas¬ 
ury for a warrant in payment of said claim. The Commissioner’s re([uest is attached 
to the Treasury settlement and foi’Avarded to the Secretary of the Interior, and from 
him to the chief of the linancial division, who in turn passes the same to the requisi¬ 
tion clerk, Robert Johnson. 

Ho preyiares a requisition in accordance with the Commissioner’s request and the 
Treasury statement of the claim ; it is then initialed by said chief for the signature 
of the Secretary of the Interior. After being signed it is returned to the hnaucial 
division and then to Mr. Johnson, who records it in a journal from which it is posted 
in the Department ledger to the debit of the aiipropriations named in the requisition. 

The requisition is then forwarded by messenger to the Second Comptroller for his 
signature, and is recorded in his office ; it is then sent to the Second Auditor for sig¬ 
nature and record; ho then transmits it to the Avarrant division of the Treasury, 
where the Avarrantfor its payment is prepared. The warrant is then sent to the draft 
room, where the draft is draAvn and transmitted to the claimant, 4is directed in the 
Treasury settlement, the request of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the re¬ 
quisition of the Secretary of the Interior. 

All requests for reiiuisitious are preserved in bound volumes of five hundred eacli, 
bearing corres])ondiug numbers with the requisitions drawn thereon. 

At the close of each fiscal year the balances of appropriations on the books of this 
Department are compared with those of the Treasury Department and must and 
always do agree. 

Exhibit B. 

The disbursing clerk makes his request on the Secretary of the Interior for moneys 
to be placed to his credit to meet the obligations of the Department from time to 
time, as provided in the appropriation bill. The Secretary of the Interior makes his 
requisition on the Secretary of the Treasury for such advances on such ap[iropriatious 
as may be required. The Secretary of the Treasury causes a Avarraut to be issued in 
favor of the disbursing clerk under his bond. This warrant passes through the hands 
of the several accounting officers of the Treasury having control of the same. A draft 
is finally issued in favor of the,Treasurer of the United States, placing the money to 
the credit and subject to the order of the disbursing clerk. When placed to his credit 
he is so notilied, the disbursing clerk then checks on the same to meet his immediate 
disbursements. At the close of each quarter of the year, and fifteen days thereafter, 
he submits his accounts of disbursements for the quarter just ended to the Auditors 
of the Treasury for adjustment. The Auditors examine the same and pass them to 
the First Comptroller for settlement. When settled by the Comptroller, the disbursing 
clerk is so informed, the letter of information stating that the account and the baU 
ance on hand, if any, agree witli said settlement. 

The folloAving statement shows the aA^erage number of days and the time and 
attention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the finance division of the Secretary’s office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

N umber 
of 

employes. 

Average 
number 
of days 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

1884 . 

10 

977 


1885 . 

10 

11 

1 

907 

7 

1886 . 

977 

i 

1887 to March 1). 

11 

AQ 

7 



7 


















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 43 


[Ao/e hi/ Commiliee : Seventeen v>age8 contain statements of the services and labors 
ot each employe as given by himself, and are not sufficiently important to print.] 


STATIONERY AND PRINTING DIVISION. 

Jieport oj the stationerji and printing division, Secretarifs office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee and called for bii Department circular 
of Marches, lc87. j j i' 

Department of the Interior, 

Washington, May 10, 1887. 

The honorable Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith a report with reference to the method 
of doing business and the work performed in this division during the calendar years 
1884,1885,1886, and 1887, up to March 1, 1887, together with a statement showing the 
average number ot employes, &c., as requested in circular letter dated March 2‘d, 1887. 
Respectfully, 

L. Q. C. LAMAR, Jr., 

Acting Chief Stationery and Printing Division. 

The following report of blanks and blank books received and issued during the 
years 1884,1885,1886, and from January 1 to March 1, 1887 ; also the quantity on hand 
beginning January 1, 1884,1885,1886, and from January 1 to March 1, 1887 : 

STOCK ON HAND. 


Date. 

Secretary’s Oiiice. 

Patent Ofl&ce. 

Pension Office. 

Land Office. 

Indian Office. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Jan. 

1,1884 

700,900 

3,220 

720,000 

135 

1, 956, 000 

None. 

1, 520, 746 

1, 960 

500, 600 

1,110 

Jan. 

1,1885 

721,900 

3,480 

846,460 

191 

2, 916, 600 

None. 

1, 720, 800 

2, 086 

612, 700 

1,916 

Jan, 

Jan, 

1,1886 
1.1887 

753, 080 

> 

3,771 

875, 012 

166 

2, 871, 315 

None. 

1, 580, 746 

1, 981 

555, 536 

1, 442 

Mar. 

to 

1,1887 

V 700, 000 

3,500 

800, 500 

160 

2, 500, 000 

None. 

1, 500, 000 

2, 000 

550, 000 

1, 500 


RECEIVED. 


Jan. 

1,1884 

963, 762 

4,571 

1, 

000, 800 

2, 490 

6, 015, 000 

None. 

1, 320, 608 

1,405 

353, 520 

2, 406 

Jan. 

1,1885 

963, 000 

4, 571 

1, 

058, 940 

2,100 

6, 915, 000 

None. 

1,677, 810 
1, 485, 750 

1, 220 

343, 525 

2, 650 

Jan. 

1, 1886 

541, 805 

2, 412 

1. 

344, 550 

5, 203 

7,143, 300 

None. 

656 

221, 850 

2, 847 

Jan. 

1,1887 

> 







to 

V 52,200 

405 


60,100 

10 

1,123, 300 

None. 

220, 000 

25 

51, 500 

500 

Mar. 

1,1887 








ISSUED. 


Jan. 1,1884 

527,374 

2, 692 

894, 788 

2,152 

4, 472,470 

* 

None. 

2, 781, 012 

1, 697 

459, 504 

Jan. 1,1885 

610, 406 

2,120 

1, 370, 864 

2, 782 

8, 856, 425 

None. 

1, 334,421 

962 

34-2,146 

Jan. 1,1886 
Jan. 1,1887 

611, 758 

) 

2, 005 

1, 067,188 

2, 800 

7,515, 542 

None. 

1, 391,467 

827 

367,192 

to 

Mar. 1,1887 

V 7,800 

29 

146, 336 

17 

536, 221 

None 

397, 838 

347 

103, 910 


The following number of requisitions for blanks, blank books, &c., received from 
the various Bureaus, offices, and agents of the Department of the Interior, during the 
years 1884,1885,1886, and from January 1 to March 1.1887: 


Date. 

Secretary’s 

Office. 

Patent 

Office. 

Pension 

Office. 

Land Office. 

Indian 

Office. 

Miscella¬ 

neous. 

January 1,1884. 

127 

1,218 

124 

1,019 

477 

66 

January 1,1885 . 

101 

1,459 

121 

1,010 

379 

63 

January 1,1886 . 

January 1,1887, to March 1, 

107 

1,479 

168 

1,406 

329 

61 

1887. 

35 

347 

34 

279 

85 

14 


J 






























































44 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


'I'ho following: iiuiiibor of invoices sent to Pension, Laud, and otlier otltlces and 
agents of tbe Department of the Interior, during the years 1884,1885, 1880, aad from 
January 1 to March 1.1887: 


Date. 

Miscella- 
^ neous 
ottices. 

. Indian 
schools. 

A fjents, 
Peusiou 
Ollice. 

Register 
and receiver 
Laud Office. 

Agents, In¬ 
dian Office. 

Surveyors- 

general. 

January 1,1884. 

7 

16 

80 

737 

529 

None. 

January 1,1885. 

19 

29 

87 

935 

900 

None. 

January 1,1886 . 

January 1,1887, to March 1, 

4 

114 

126 

846 

600 

8 

1887. 

26 

61 

28 

185 

79 

9 


Tbe following number of notices sent to the various Bureaus of the Department of 
the Interior to order the reprint of blanks, &c., during the years 1884, 1885, 1880, anil 
from January 1 to March 1, 1887: \ 


Date. 

Secretary’s 

Office. 

Patent 

Office. 

Pension 

Office. 

Land Office. 

Indian 

Office. 

January 1,1884.‘.. 

143 

141 

159 

230 

92' 

January 1,1885. 

163 

170 

123 

127 

103 

January 1,1886. 

163 

137 

346 

335 

221 

Ja,niiary 1, 1887^ to Ma.rfli 1, 1887... . 

36 

26 

49 

50 

30 




Average number of persons engaged on this work. 

The following recapitulation of blanks and blank books on hand, received, and 
issued during the years 1884, 1885, 1880, and f'^om January 1 to March 1,1887 : 


Date.' 

Stock on hand. 

Received. 

Issued. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

Blanks. 

Books. 

1884. 

5,197,246 

6,425 

9, 6.53, 690 

10, 872 

9,135,148 

8, 534 

1885. 

6, 818, 460 

7, 673 

10, 958, 275 

10, .541 

12, 514, 262 

8, 373 

1886. 

6, 635, 689 

7, 360 

10, 737, 255 

11,118 

10, 953,147 

7, 830 

1887. 

6, 050, 500 

7,160 

1, 507,100 

945 

1,192,155 

1, 210 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in'the stationery and 
printing division of the Secretary’s ofSce, Department of the Interior. 

Preparation of estimates of appropriations for stationery. 

Preparation of estimates of a])propriations for printing. 

I’reparation of estimates and proposals for purchase of stationery. 

Awards of contracts for stationery supplies. 

Making of contracts for stationery supplies. 

Making out orders for stationery. 

Making out reiiuisitions for printing and binding. 

Receipt and inspection of stationery supplies. 

Receipt and inspection of printed material and delivery to the various offices. 

Auditing accounts in payment for stationery. 

Filing requisitions for stationery, including packing, mailing, or delivery to various 
offices. 

Filling requisitions for standard blanks, and blank books, and packing, mailing or 
delivering the work. 

Examining claims of railroads for transportation of supplies and forwarding to 
proper office for payment. 

Keeping records of letters received and sent, of requisitions for stationery, printing, 
and blanks, of claims for transportation, of invoices for blanks, stationery, and xirint- 
iug. 

Accounts of all stationery,blanks, and printing ordered, received and issued. 

Making up accounts of blanks,stationery, and printing, furnished to the res^iective 
offices of the Department. 

Jieceipt of jiroof of work ordered printed, and transmission of it to the x)roper of¬ 
fice for examination. 

































































, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. ' 45 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the stationery and 
printing division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior. 

TIic number of Bureaus and offices which have been supplied with stationery, blanks, 
and printed matter, during the calendar years>1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887, to March 
1, 1887, are as follows: 


Secretary’s office.. 1 

Patent Office. 1 

Pension Office. 1 

Laud Office. I 

Indian Office. 1 

Bureau of Education. 1 

Office Commissioner of Railroads_ 1 

Bureau of Labor... 1 

United States Geological Survey_ 1 

Indian agencies. 68 

Indian schools. 60 

Local land offices. 108 

Offices of governors and secretaries of 

Territories. 16 

Offices of surveyors-general. 16 


Indian and land inspectors. 8 

Pension agents. 18 

Hot Springs Reservation. 1 

Freedmen’s Hospital. 1 

Civil Service Commission. 1 

Hospital for Insane. 1 

National Museum. 1 

Fish Commission. 1 

New Pension Building. 1 

Architect of United States Capitol... 1 

Board of Indian Commissioners. 1 

Education of children in Alaska. 1 

Yellowstone National Park. 1 


Total . 281 


In addition to the offices above named, the following offices have been supplied with 
stationery, blanks, and printed matter during the periods opposite each: 


Interstate Commerce Commission dur¬ 
ing the present caleni^ar year. 1 

Pacific Railroad Commission during 

the present calendar year. 1 

Congressional Library Commission 
during the present calendar year.. 1 
Reconstruction Department Building, 
calendar years 1884-1835. 1 

The stationery required for general use of the Department is contracted for and 
supplied in the following manner : Sealed proposals to furnish the Department with 
about one hundred aud forty-live different articles of stationery are advertised for. 

A schedule showing estimated quantities required is made up in this division, a 
co))y of which is submitted herewirh. 

The Secretary designates one gentleman from each Bureau as a member of a board 
on awards. At a 8i)ecilied time the proposals are opened by this board, aud the prices, 
together with samples of the various articles of stationery submitted, are considered 
and examined. 

After determining upon the kind, quality, aud price, which may be desired, of the 
various articles of stationery which have been submitted, a report is made to the Sec¬ 
retary recommending the same for his approval and acceptance. 

It usually requires about ten days to transact the business coming before this 
board. The samples selected are then liled in this division for future reference aud 
comparison. 

Tlje contracts are written, and the proper execution thereof, aud all details in rela¬ 
tion to the same is attended to. An order is then written aud forwarded to the suc¬ 
cessful bidder, for example, on two thousand reams of 12-pouud letter paper, to- 
g(‘,ther with si)eeimens of the various rulings required. He forwards the paper to 
the Department, together with an invoice of the quantity sent. Upon the receipt 
of the paper it is carefully compared with the sample accepted; the quantity re¬ 
ceived is compared with the invoice; the price charged on the invoice is compared 
with the price agreed upon in the contract; the value of the goods is calculated in 
accordance with such price. If found correct in these particulars the contractor is 
credited upon the books of this division with the value of the paper sent by him, aud 
the })aper is stored and issued to the several Bureaus in such ({uautities as may be re¬ 
quired, and in accordance with requisitions forwarded by them to this office. The 
contractor then forwards a statement of his account, which is compared with the in¬ 
voice, showing the amount to his credit, is prepared for the approval of the First 
Assistant Secretary, and is, after such approval, sent to the disbursing office of this 
Department for pavmeut. 


Tenth Census, calendar year 1884 ... 1 

New Orleans Exposition, calendar 

year 1885 ... 1 

Indian Depredation Claims, calendar 
year 1886 . 1 


Total.. 7 


I 





































4G 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Prox)os{ils must be made out and signed in duplicate. 

PROPOSALS FOR STATIONERY. 

-, 1886. 

To the Secretary op the Interior : 

Sir: The undersigned hereby propose to furnish for the Department of the In¬ 
terior the various kinds of stationery, &-c., as hereinafter specified, and at the rate 
set against each item, for the fiscal year commencing on the 1st of July, 1886, and 
ending on the 60th of June, 1887. The right is accorded to the Department of the In¬ 
terior to order a greater or less quantity of any or all the articles embraced in this 
proposal as the wants and exigencies of the Department may require, provided that 
the quantities ordered shall not exceed the quantities named herein by more than 50 
per cent. The articles are to be of the best quality, and are to be delivered promptly 
at the Department as ordered, and upon the cerms specified herein and in the circular 
relating thereto, dated “ Department of the Interior, May 8, 1886.’’ 

[Signature of each member of firm and firm-^ ’ 

name. If a corporation, its name, and signa¬ 
ture of the officer authorized to sign for the 
corporation.] 


Doin" business as 


Rate. 

Dollars. 

Cts. 














o 

^ . 

M a 

r-' <u 

a.^ 

% 


Quantity. 


375 reams. 

950 reams 

10 reams 
2, 500 reams. 

50 reams 


Description of articles. 


Foolscap paper, best quality, white, ruled va- • 
rious widths, 14 pounds to the ream, sample 

required.per ream. 

Legal cap, best quality, white, ruled various 
widths, 14 pounds to the ream, sample re¬ 
quired .. per ream 

Legal cap, best quality, linen stock, cream 14 
pounds to the ream, ruled, sample required .per ream 
Letter paper, best quality, cream, 12 pounds to 
ream; 1,250reams flat, and 1,250 reams ruled 
to order andfolded, sample lequired, average per ream. 
Flat letter paper, linen stock, white or creain, 

12 pounds to the ream, sample required.per ream 


o 

u . 

|i 

I- 


[Here follow descriptions of items Nos. 6 to 152.1 


FORM OF GUARAXTY. 

-, doing business in the city of 


1886. 


able to fulfill a contract, in accordance with 


at No. 


I hereby guarantee that- 

street, ha— proper facilities and- able to fulfill a contract, in accordance with-proposal for 

furnishing stationery for the Department of the Interior during the fiscal year commencing July 1, 

1880, and that-will execute a contract with good and sufficient bond if-bid be accenteil. 

(See Note No, 8.) 


Approved: 

(Name:) 


*(Name:)- 

(Residence:) -- 

(Place of business:) 


(Ofijcial position:) 


(Residence:)-. 

Note l.—The following quantities and varieties of rubber bands will be required under items Nos. 50 
ami 51: 288 gross each, 0^ and 00|; 432 gross 000^, and 864 gross 000^, under item No. 50 ; and 576 gross 
each. Nos. H^and 19, and 6,000 gross each. Nos. 16 and 32, under item No. 51. 

Note 2.—The following quantities and varieties of pens will be required under item 52, viz: (lillott’s • 
25 gross Nos. 293 ; 50 gross each. Nos. 202. and 303 ; 150 gross each. Nos. 390 and 404, and 175 gross No! 

Lsterbrook s: 25 gross each. Nos. 1 (Silverine), 11, 049, 280, 284, and 314; 50 gross each Nos. 2 
(Colorado), 9. 79, 130, 161, and 239; 100 gross No. 14; 125 gross No. 182 ; 75 gross No. 122, and 200 gross 
No. 048. bpencerian: 125 gross each. Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and 25 gross No. 31. Perry’s - 125 gross “U” 
pen. Miller Bros.: 25 gross each. Nos. 1, 15, 15 T. P., 20, 80, 103, and 130; 50 gros.s each, Nos. 87 and 
444 ; 75 poss No. 23, and 250 gross No. 4. Dreka’s: .50 gross No. 2 and 200 gross No. 3. 

Note 3.—The following varieties and quantities of Windsor & Newton’s colors will bo required under 
Item 76: 6 cakes each, black lead, cerulean blue, Chalon’s brown, deep chiomo, rod lead red ocher 
warm sepia, Indian purple, Indian red, lemon yellow, Mars’ orange, Naples yellow, and p’ui'ple lake- 
12 cakes each, burnt sienna, burnt umber, chrome yellow, cobalt blue, gamboge, Roman sepia, terre 
yerte, Vandyke brown, yellow ocher, Roman ocher, intense blue, Italian pink, lampblack, Prussian 
blue, and 1 russian green ; 36 cakes neutral tint: 48 cakes carmine, and 60 cakes Hooker’s green No. 1. 

Note 4.—All envelopes to be full Government cut, with wide lap. Each box to be plainly labeled 
to show the quantity, actual size, name of the manufacturer or contractor, and number of the item. 
Boxes to be made strong, of heavy pasteboard, thoroughly stayed with muslin, and covered with white 


























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


47 


paper, iiuglazed. The envelopes under items 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 47, and 48 to bo put up in boxes of 
500 each ; tbo e under items 41, 42, 40, 44, 45, 46, 49, 139, 140, and 152 in boxes of 250 each. 

Note 5.—All flat and folded paper to be put up in one-ream packages and properly labeled, and tbo 
weight per ream when delivered to be fully up to and in accordance with the weight specilied in the 
proposal 

Note 6.—Each sample of paper (under items 1 to 20. inclusive) should consist of one quire, except¬ 
ing item 16, wiiich should consist of one ream, and each sample of envelopes (under items 35 to 49, 
inclu.sive, and 139, 140, and 1521 should consist of •one package, or 25 envelopes. 

Note 7.—Each item on the proposal requiring a sample must bo represented by a separate sample, 
independent of any other item, and when samijles are attached to cards but one item should be repre¬ 
sented on a card. Each s.uuplo should bo plainly marked to indicate the name of the bidder, name of 
the manufacturer, tTade-mark, number of the item, and price, and a list of the samples sent should 
accompany the package containing them. Proposals must not bo sent in the same package with 
samples. 

*Note 8.—This propo.sal must be accompanied by a .satisfactory guarantee, approved by a United 
States oflicer of the district in which the guarantor resides or does business, that the bidder will 
execute a contract, with good and sufficient bond, if his bid be accepted for any or all the articles. 
No bid will be considered without such guarantee. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the stationery 
and printing division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the Interior, 
including one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said di¬ 
vision, beginning wdh the receipt of the business matter in the-office, and then 

showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted urion, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Articles of stationery are called for by, and suiiplied to, the several bureaus and 
offices of the Department in the following manner : A requisition for a variety of sta¬ 
tionery is made out bywthe register and receiver of the land office at Gainesville, Fla., 
for instance, and addressed to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, being re¬ 
ceived by the chief clerk of the latter office it is referred to the registry division to 
be recorded, then forwarded to the chief clerk of the Department, who refers it to the 
chief of the stationery and printing divsion, without indorsement. The chief of this 
division examines the requisition, and if properly made out, and if the articles called 
for are considered necessary, he puts his initials on it as evidence that he has exam¬ 
ined it and passes it over to the issue clerk, who gives it a file number and enters it 
on a register kept for that purpo.se. I'he quantities called for are liieii issued from 
the supplies kept in stock, packed in packages and boxes, addres.sed and forwarded 
as registered mail, or as freight, to the register and receiver at Gainc.sville, Fla. An 
invoice enumeraliing the variety and quantity of stationery sent is then made out and 
signed by the chief clerk of the Department and sent to the officers, notifying them 
that the supplies have been forwarded. Upon receipt of the invoice the officers com¬ 
pare it with the quantities of stationery received, receipts, properly indorses it, and 
returns it to this Department. Upon its return the chief clerk of tlie Department 
sends it to the chief of the stationery division, who forwards it to the issue clerk, and 
by him its return is noted in the register of requisitions, and the .same is then tiled. 

The chief of the stationery division of the Bureau of Pensions makes a requisition 
for twenty reams of letter paper on a blank prepared for that purpose, addressed to 
the chief clerk of the Department. After being approved by the chief clerk of the 
bureau it is pres.s-copied and forwarded to the chief clerk of the Department and sent 
without indorsement to the stationery and printing division. The chief of this di¬ 
vision examines the re([uisition, and if the letter paper is considered necessary he 
puts his initials on it as evidence that he has examined it and passes it oyer to the 
issue clerk, who enters it on* a register kept for that purpose, numbers it, issues the 
supplies called for and forwards the same to the stationery division. Bureau of Pen¬ 
sions, taking receipt therefor. It is then checked off as being complete, the date it 
was tilled being entered on the register, and is forwarded to the book-keeper, who ab¬ 
stracts the requisitions qivarterly, records the quantities and cost in the stock book 
and stock ledger and charges tlie cost of the stationery issued to the bureau in the 
ledger. The requisition is then tiled, thus showing the completion of the transaction. 

t”^ save the extra cost of frequently reprinting blanks which are in common use by 
a large number of offices a large supply is printed at one time and conveniently 

stored. . 

A requisition for a variety of blanks is made out by the register and receiver of the 
laud office at Olvmpia, Wash. Ter., for instance, and addressed to the Commissioner 
of the General Land Office. Being received by the chief clerk of the latter office, 
it is referred to the registry division to be recorded, and then to the accounts divis¬ 
ion, where it is examined, and if the (piantity or variety of blanks is too large it is 
amended accordingly. It is then prepared for reference to the Secretary of the In¬ 
terior and forwanled to the chief clerk of the Land Office for signature. ^ After being 
signed it is forwarded to the Secretary, and being receiyed by the chief clerk of the 



48 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Department it is sent to tlio chief of the stationery and printin^^ division, wlio ex¬ 
amines it and passes it over to the issue clerk. The re(iui8ition is then given a file 
number and noted on the register of requisition for blanks. The quantities called 
for are then taken from the supply in cases, packed, addressed, and forwarded by 
mail to the local land officers. An invoice enumerating the variety and (quantity of 
blanks sent is then made out and signed by the chief clerk of the Department, and 
sent to the local land officers notifying them that the blanks have been forwarded. 
Upon receipt of the invoice the officer compares it with the quantities of blanks re¬ 
ceived, receipts, properly endorses, and returns it to the Secretary. Upon receipt of 
it the chief clerk of the Department sends it to the chief of the stationery division, 
who forwards it to the issue clerk, and by him it is noted in the register of requisi¬ 
tions and tiled. 

The Commissioner of Education makes a refjuisition on the Secretary of the Inte¬ 
rior for printing 10,000 blanks. After being press-copied, it is forwarded to the Secre¬ 
tary’s office accompanied by a copy of tha blank required. It is received by the chief 
clerk of the Department, and sent without indorsement (except in special cases) to 
the stationery and printing division. The chief of this division examines the re- 
(juisition and if it is properly made out, and if the blanks are considered necessaiy, he 
put his initials on it as evidence that ho has examined it and passes it over to the 
printing clerk, who draws a requisition on the Public Printer for the work and places 
it upon the desk of the chief of the division who examines it, and, if found correct, 
puts his initials on the corner of it and forwards it to the chief clerk of the Depart¬ 
ment for signature. It is then press-copied, entered in the register of requisitions 
and, with the copy of blank required, forwarded to the Public Printer, and at the 
same time a notice is sent to the Commissioner of Education that the requisition has 
been drawn on the Public Printer for the work, and the file number of the requisition 
is included in the notice for convenience in calling up the case should it be necessary 
to hasten the work. 

Upon the receipt of the requisition in the office of the Public Printer an estimate of 
the cost of the work is made out and forwarded to the Secretary for ai)proval. This 
estimate is received by the chief clerk of the Department and forwarded to the sta¬ 
tionery and printing division. The chief of the division passes it over to the print¬ 
ing clerk, who examines it and compares it with the requisition for the blanks. If 
considered correct, he copies the items on the brief of the requisition originally re- 
ceiv^ed from the Bureau, enters the total on the register of requisitions and in the 
estimate book. The estimate is then prepared for signature and delivered to the 
chief of division who examines and initials and forwards it to the chief clerk for 
signature. After being signed it is returned to the stationery and printing division 
and there mailed to the Public Printer. After putting the form in type proof is for¬ 
warded by the Public Printer to the chief of the stationery and printing division. 
After examination it is passed over to the printing clerk, who forwards it to the office 
requiring the blanks, and after examination there it is returned to the chief of the 
stationery and printing division, and by him it is returii'i'd to the Public Printer. 
Upon completion ot the blanks, they are tied up in packages, and sent to the sta¬ 
tionery and printing division with invoice. They arc there received b3^ the printing 
cleric, and if the,v are found to be in accordance with the requisition he gives receipt 
therefor to the Public Printer’s deliverj'^ messenger. He then makes out a receipt 
showing the number of requisition, title and quantity of blanks, and forwards the 
blanks to the Bureau where receipt is obtained for them and returned for file with the 
reipiisition originally received from the Bureau, on which the date of delivery is 
noted. This receipt is evidence that the requisition has been filled, and shows to 
whom the work was delivered. The date of delivery of the work is then noted on 
the register of reipiisitions. 

In the course of a few days after the delivery of the work, the Public Printer for¬ 
wards a bill showing the amount charged to tlio Department, for the work ; and after 
passing through the hands as others papers received l)y the division, the printing 
clerk receives it, notes the cost on the original reiiuisition pn the register of requisi¬ 
tions and charges the amount to the account of the Bureau of Education. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


49 


iNote hjf Committee: The following table is a consolidated statement of five sheets as 
given in report.] 

Average amount of business performed, transacted, and disposed of in the staiionerii and 
printing division of the office of the Secretarg of the Interior, with the average numbet' 
of employes therein, and the maximum and minimum amount of business disposed of by 
the employes doing the most and the least therein during the times specified. 


Months. 


1884. 


1885. 


1886. 


January .. 
February . 
March.:.. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August .. 
September 
October .. 
November 
December. 


13 

S 

o 

a 

ca 

tc 

ca 

o 


350 

347 
353 

353 

354 
352 
354 

348 
350 
350 

349 
349 


12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

13 

12 

13 

14 


3 

P 

o 

a 

C3 

0) 

bC 

cS 

(1 

0) 

p- 

<1 


3, 479 
3, 481 
3,477 
3,479 
3, 483 
3, 480 
3, 475 
3, 477 
3, 477 
3, 478 
3, 41D 
3, 475 


a. 

d 

o 

a 

CS 

fcJO 

rt 

»-i 


588 

595 

591 

597 

593 

594 
591 
597 

593 

594 
.592 
594 


1887 

(to March 1). 


C3 

O 

a 

a 

bfl 

c3 

a> 


3, 302 
3, 369 


[JVote by Committee: The following is substituted for five sheets in report.] 

Amount and character of business on hand, received, and disposed of in the stationery and 
printing division of the office of the Secretary of the Interior at the times named. 


Character of busines.s. 


Letters received. 

Requisitions for stationery 

recei\ied. 

Invoices of stationery re¬ 
ceived . 

Bills for stationery received. 

Transportation claims .. 

Proposals, annual, received. 
Letters.sent, including those 

referred . 

Invoices for stationery sent. 
Bills for stationery sent 

agents, Ate. 

Contracts made out in dupli¬ 
cate . 

Requisitions abstracted- 

Abstracts made out and en¬ 
tered . 

Orders for stationery sent... 
Requisitions for printing re¬ 
ceived .- ... 

Invoices ot printing received 
Bills for printing received .. 
Estimates of cost of printing. 
Requisitions for printing sent 
Bilis for repayment sent ... 
Requisitions for blanks re¬ 
ceived ... 

Invoices of blanks received 
from printer for storage 

and issue .. 

Invoices of blanks received 

from agents, &c. 

Letters and notices sent ... 
Invoices for blanks sent — 
Requisitions for blanks ab- 
•'tracted. 


a "H 


li 

bJO 

a 

Disposed of 
in 1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Di.sposed of 
in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1.1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of 
in 1886. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1887. 

c 

-M . 

P CO 

1 —4 

524 

524 

. . . . 

490 

490 

.... 

541 

541 

.... 

175 

2,140 

2,140 


2,166 

2,166 

.... 

2, 327 

2, 327 

.... 

509 

609 

609 


753 

753 


768 

768 

.... 

141 

202 

202 


232 

232 


225 

22.5 


13 

217 

217 


31 

31 


20 

2^ 

.... 

2 

47 

47 

.... 

56 

56 

.... 

53 

53 



480 

480 


438 

438 


713 

• 713 

.. 

1,08 

374 

374 

.... 

360 

360 

.... 

496 

496 

.... 

106 

76 

76 

. - . . 

68 

68 

.... 

89 

89 

.... 

51 

32 

32 


31 

31 


32 

32 



2,140 

2,140 

.... 

2,166 

2,166 

.... 

2, 327 

2, 327 

.... 

.509 

92 

92 


88 

88 


101 

101 


35 

338 

338 

.... 

439 

439 

.... 

572 

572 

■... 

96 

3,216 

3,216 


3,230 

3, 230 


3,185 

3,18.5 


589 

9. 648 

9, 648 


9, 690 

9, 690 


9, 555 

9, 565 


1,767 

3, 216 

3,216 


3, 230 

3, 230 


3,185 

3,185 


211 

3,216 

3 ; 216 


3, 230 

3, 230 

.... 

3,185 

3, V85 


589 

3, 216 

3, 216 


3, 230 

3, 230 


3, 185 

3,185 

• • . 

58ft 

6 

6 

.... 

4 

4 

.... 

2 

2 

.... 

10 

3,051 

3, 051 

.... 

3,133 

3,133 

... 

3, 550 

3, 550 

.... 

794 

950 

950 


1,100 

1,100 


1,196 

1,196 


190 










192 

1, 346 

*.346 


1,922 

1, 922 


1,572 

1,572 



755 

755 


686 

686 

.... 

1, 202 

1, 202 


191 

1, 346 

1,346 

.... 

1,922 

1, 922 

.... 

1,572 

1,572 


193 

3, 051 

3, 051 

.... 

3,133 

3,133 

.... 

3, 550 

3, 550 


794 




in ^ 


3884 INT- 4 










































































































































































50 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


It is impracticable to prepare a statement showing the maximum and minimum 
amount of business transacted and disposed of by the employe doing the most and the 
employd doing the least during the periods spc'-citied in this report, as no two emi)loyh8 
in the stationery and printing division are performing the same character of work. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied by the employds in the stationery and printing division of the Secretary’s office, 
Department of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
employPs. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

1884 . 

12 

262 

7 

1885 . 

14 

272 

7 

1886 . 

14 

286 

7 

1887 (to Marcli 1)..... 

15 

45 

7 




The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days 
in the stationery and printing division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the 
Interior, during the periods specified : 



1384. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 

Maximum number of days*. 

234 

299 

240 

295§ 

254 

48 

37 

Minimum number of days t. 



* This shows tlie record of one employ6 engaged on miscellaneous work, 
t This shows the record of four employes engaged on miscellaneous work. 


In addition to the number of days of absence indicated by the figures showing the 
minimum number of days present during the year 1885, as above, the party was not 
on the roll from June 30, 1885, to November 18, 1885. 

One of the clerks in this division worked an estimated number of hours in addition 
to the maximum number of days stated above, such excess being equal to 332 days, 
as follows: 1884, 128 days; 1885, 103 days; 1886,83 days; March 1, 1887, 18 days: 
total, 332 days. 


CUSTODIAN’S DIVISION. 

Bq)ort of the ciistodian^s division, Secretarfs Office, on the methods of business and worlc, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for bu Denartment circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the custodian’s 
division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department of the Interior, including one 
or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the custodian’s office, and then 
showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. ’ 

Congress inakes annual appropriations for the contingent expenses of this Depart¬ 
ment, including all its Ruieaus, ofhees, and buildings, specifying therein the articles 
to be purchased “ and other absolutely necessary expenses.” 

Towards the close of each fiscal year advertisements are prepared and sent to the 
miscellaneous division and by it printed in newspapers, inviting proposals for mfe- 
cpllaneous supplies for the coming fiscal year. Jilank forms of proposals are sent to 



























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


51 


those wishing to hid. All proposals are opened in the office of the custodian on an 
appointed day, in the presence of a representative of each Bureau of the Department, 
constituting a committee of award. An abstract of all bids is prepared, and the 
above committee meets with the custodian (who is an ex-officio member) from day to 
day to consider these proposals, examine samples, and make recommendations to the 
Secretary that contracts bo made with certain parties for furnishing the various arti¬ 
cles on the schedule which it seems to them to bo for the best interests of the De¬ 
partment to accept. On approval of this recommendation by the Secretary the cus¬ 
todian causes contracts, with bond, to be drawn and executed between the Secretary 
and the successful bidder. Contracts are made in duplicate, one copy being kept in 
the returns office and the other deposited in the Treasury Department. 

The samples of miscellaneous suyjplies submitted by those bidders to whom a con¬ 
tract is awarded are retained in the office of the custodian, and all goods ordered are 
required to conform to these samples. 

Separate advertisements are sent out for proposals for supplying the Department 
with fuel and with ice; also for the washing of towels and the winding of clocks. 
This latter class of proposals is opened by the custodian and abstracts are prepared, 
which are submitted to the Secretary. Contracts Avith a bond are made for these ar¬ 
ticles in the same manner as for miscellaneous supplies. 

Eeach Bureau or office of this Department in need of any of the enumerated articles, 
or things that may be necessary, makes a requisition for the same. Said requisition 
is then signed by the head of the Bureau from which it emanates, or by his legal rep¬ 
resentatives ; then it is approved by the Secretary, or Acting Secretary, after which 
it is forwarded to the custodian, whose duty it is to supply the articles mentioned 
in said requisition, either by articles contracted for or by purchase in open market, 
as the case may be. When received by the custodian, each requisition is stamped with 
the date of its receipt and entered on a record book, kept for that purpose, under head 
of the Bureau from which it was received, with the name and title of the officer mak¬ 
ing such requisition, with the date of its receipt, also giving it a number, which num¬ 
bers are given to each consecutively as they are received. Should any of the articles 
called for by this requisition not be in ‘‘ stock” the custodian writes an order, giving 
it a number, also stating for what Bureau it is wanted; if a “ contract” article, upon 
the conlractor for the same ; if it be a miscellaneous or “ open-market ” article, then 
upon whomever he deems it best to siqiply the required want. These orders are then 
forwarded to the Secretary, or Acting Secretary, for his signature; when signed they 
are returned to the custodian, who makes a letter-yiress copy of each of said orders, after 
which he mails them to the respective party or parties. From the letter-press copy 
a transcript is made of these orders in an indexed book called the “ order book” under 
the account of each individual with Avlioni the Department does business. When ar¬ 
ticles ordered are received by the custodian (or in case of bulkiness are delivered to 
the Bureau or office calling for the same) they are accompanied by a memorandum 
bill, which is entered in the “order book,” opposite the order for the same, with date 
of delivery and the price thereof; then these articles are by him turned over to the 
chief clerk of the Bureau making the requisition, who receipts for the same, when it 
is so entered upon the record of requisitions as “ tilled,” with the date of signature. 
At the close of the mouth an abstract of these completed requisitions is made for each 
Bureau of the Department, giving the name, number, and price of contract articles 
and the total value of the same ; also the name, cost price, and total value of “ open- 
market” articles delivered. An aggregate statement is also made of the entire value 
of all supplies to each and every Bureau for each month during the year. These ag¬ 
gregate amounts are copied into a ledger book kept for that purpose and the requi¬ 
sitions and abstract sheet filed away. 

All accounts when due are presented on vouchers signed in duplicate. These are 
compared with the order and requisition and audited by the book-keeper and certified 
to by the custodian as to the exigency of the demaud and reasonableness of the charge, 
if the articles are purchased in “ open market,” and when the articles are purchased 
under contract he certifies that the price is the true contract price. One of these 
vouchers, known as the “original,” is approved by the Secretary, or Acting Secretary, 
then by the custodian forwarded to the creditor, by him to be presented to the dis¬ 
bursing officer of the Department for payment. The “duplicate” voucher isretained 
in the office of the custodian, and on the approval of the “ original” voucher by the 
Secretary, or Acting Secretary, the “duplicate” is recorded by items in the “ stock 
book,” and in the “stock ledger ” a record is kept of the date of payment and name of 
party to whom payment is made. 

In addition to making monthly statements a weekly report is made, for the in¬ 
formation of the Secretary and chief clerk, giving a summary of the week’s business, 
including a financial statement, which gives the balances on hand of the difierent 
ap])ropriatiou8 from which expenditures are made through this office. 

The sum of |100 being set apart for payment of subscriptions for newspapers for 
the Secretary, his assistants, and the commissioners of the various Bureaus of the 


52 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Department, the journals as selected are ordered by the custodian and the accounts 
lor the same audited and certified to for payment. 

The sum of $500 being annually appropriated for the completion of sets of books 
for the Department library, the books selected by the librarian and chi(!f clerk are 
ordered and the accounts for the same audited and certified to by the custodian. 

After due and sufficient advertisement the contract for the sale of the waste paper 
of the Department is let to the highest bidder, who gives bond for the faithful per¬ 
formance of the contract as required. An account is kept with the contractor and 
receipts for the sale of said paper are turned over by the custodian to the disbursing 
clerk of the Department, who gives a receipt for the same. • 

Under the direction of the Secretary condemned material is sold at auction, and re¬ 
turns for the net proceeds of such sale are received by the custodian, by him recorded, 
and disposed of in the same manner as is pursued in the receipts for the sale of waste 
paper. 

Statement sliotving the principal items of business transacted in the custodian’s division of 
the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior. 

Filling requisitions for the various articles of miscellaneous supplies which it is 
proper to purchase and pay for out of the appropriation for contingent expenses of 
the Department. 

Keeping in stock various articles for convenience in filling requisitions without 
delay. 

Keeping such books as are necessary in the transaction of the above business, and 
the making up of monthly statements of expenditures from the contingent ai)i)ro- 
priation. 

Auditing accounts and certification of them to the Secretary. 

Advertising for proposals for miscellaneous supplies, and the supervision of the 
bids, drawing of contracts and bonds. 

Collection of the sales of waste paper and of condemned material. 

• The custody of the appropriation of $500 annually, made for the completion of sets 
of books for the Department library. 

The Forty-ninth Congress having made an appropriation of $28,500 for furnishing 
the new Pension Building, requisitions for such articles as are specified in that appro¬ 
priation are filled by the custodian and certified to, and books kept for that appro¬ 
priation in the same manner as for the appiopriation for contingent expen.ses of the 
Department. 

[^Note by Committee : The two following statements have been substituted for thir¬ 
teen sheets of statements given in report.] 

Amount and character of business on hand, received, and disposed of in the custodian’s di¬ 
vision of the office of the Secretary of the Interior at the times named. 



Payments for supplies on vouchers of sums of $3,000 to $13,000 monthly each year. 




























TIIK DEPAUTMEKr OF TItE INTERIOR. 


53 


Avo'afie amount of business performed^ transacted, and disposed of in the custodian’s divis¬ 
ion of the office of the Secretary of the Intanor, with the average number of employes 
therein, and the maximum and minimum amount of business disposed of by the employe 
doing the most and the least therein during the times specified. 


• 

Month. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

Average amount. 

Average employes. 

Maximum. 

Minimum. 

Average amount. 

Average employes. 

Maximum. 

Minimum. 

Average amount. 

Average employtis. 

Maximum. | 

... _ 1 

1 

Minimum. 

Average amount. 

Average employes. 

Maximum. 

a 

3 

"a 

3 

January . 

120 

3 



135 

4 



139 

4 



121 

4 



February. 

90 

3 



99 

4 



93 

4 



101 

4 



March. 

95 

3 



91 

4 



108 

4 







April. 

96 

3 



104 

4 



118 

4 







Mav. 

118 

3 



89 

4 



79 

4 







June. 

121 

3 



134 

4 


* 

129 

4 







July. 

109 

3 



105 

4 



109 

4 







August. 

100 

3 



112 

4 



91 

4 







September. 

122 

3 



110 

4 



91 

4 







October. 

144 

3 



107 

4 



103 

4 







November. 

101 

3 



108 

4 



113 

4 







December.. 

120 

3 



114 

4 



99 

4 

























The following statement shows the average miuiber of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the custodian’s division of the Secretary’s olfice, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

No. of em- 
ploy6s. 

Average No. 
of days 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

Eomarks. 

1884 .-. 

3 to 5 

2-277 ? 
*1-190 S 
2761 
277i 
49| 

7 

0 

*Dr. Ward sick 90 days. 

I S8<; . 

4 

7 

0 

IRty; . 

4 

7 

0 



4 

7 

0 







The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ6 present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employe present for the least number of days 
in the custodian’s division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Character of 
business. 


275 

275^ 

269^ 

2774 

274^ 

51 

Clerical. 


*190 

47^ 

Do. 





* Dr. Ward sick ninety days. 


Our work is of such a character that, from the time a requisition is made on the 
custodian until the same is filled, and the accounts as to the disposal of the items 
called for is made, there is no particular stage of the work from which a direct show-, 
ing of each employe’s work could be made. 


































































































































54 


THE DEPAETMENT OE THE INTEEIOE. 


DOCUMENT EOOM. 


Report of the document division of the Secretary's office on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

' Washington, May 26, 1887. 


Hon. H. L. Muldrow, 

Acting Secretary: 

Sir : I have the honor, in response to instructions contained in circular of March 23, 
1887, to submit herewith a report regarding the ‘‘ methods of business and work ” ot 
the document division, including detailed “items” of certain of the “principal busi¬ 
ness matters transacted ” by the same, together with statements as to the “ character 
and amount of business transacted ” during the calendar years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 
January and February, 1887, number of persons employed in the division, &c., being 
information requested in his communication of March 18, 1887, by the Hon. F. M. 
Cockrell, chairman of Senate Select Committee. 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN G. AMES, 
Superintendent of Documents. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the document di¬ 
vision of the Secretary’s office. Department of the Interior. 

The principal items of business of the division are : 

(1) The reception, storage, distribution, and sale of public documents. 

(2) General correspondence regarding the publications of the Government. 

(3) Exchange of public documents amongst public libraries. 

(4) The receiition and distribution of postage stamps for the use of the Department 
in conducting correspondence with foreign countries. 

(5) The compilation of the Official Register of the United States. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business iu the document 
division of the Secretary’s office, in the Department ot the Interior, including one 
or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the Secretary’s office, and then 
showing ill consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by wliom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is hiially disposed of 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. 

Public documents are received and acknowledgment of receipt made to party de¬ 
livering the same, chiefly the Public Printer. 

The title of document, number of copies received, aud date of reception are entered 
in receiving register. 

Documents are stored in rooms provided for the same, and folded as soon as practi¬ 
cable, and delivered by messenger or by mail upon the direction of superintendent of 
documents to parties named upon the franking label of the Department. 

Thenameof party to whom delivered is entered in distributing register, together with 
title of document sent, the date of sending, and the name of the person at whose 
request it is sent. 

Each document is accompanied by a communication, in separate envelope, notify¬ 
ing the recipient of its transmission, and at whose request it is sent, and*he is fur¬ 
nished with a blank form of acknowledgment of receipt to be returned to this office. 
The date of acknowledgment is then entered in distributing register. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

Letters regarding documents, on their reception from the chief clerk of the De¬ 
partment, are stamped with the stamp of the office, and in case the document de¬ 
sired can be supplied, the same is forwarded at the earliest practicable moment un¬ 
less the records of the office show that it had already been supplied to the party 
named to receive it, the registration detailed above attending each document. ^ 
If a letter contain a request in behalf of a party other than the writer the writer 
himself is then notihed of the action of the Department, and his communication, 





THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


55 


with iiaino written in Fold letters at upper ri<|fht-liand corner, Tiled open in file-case 
of this office, minutely subdivided in alphabetical arrangement where at any mo¬ 
ment it can be readily consulted. 

The open tile-case in which answered letters are deposited renders all briefing and 
folding ot such letters unnecessary, thus saving labor and expense. It is the most 
convenient method of filing letters ever tried by the office. 

In case a document cannot be furnished, the writer is immediately notified of this 
fact and referred to some other Department, if it be available for distribution by the 
same. 

IIEGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS DISTRIBUTED. 

The registers of the office are so arranged that it is possible to ascertain, with 
scarcely a moment’s delay, whether any party in this country or abroad has been sup¬ 
plied with any particular document distributed by the office, and if so, the date of its 
distribution, by whosd request it was sent, and the date of its receipt. 

This registration has been of great service in enabling the office to detect duplica¬ 
tions in the distribution of document.s, as otherwise it would be impossible to prevent 
such duplication. During the past four years it is probable that the duplication of 
not less than thirty thousand volumes has in this way been prevented, and these docu¬ 
ments saved for the use of other parties that would otherwise have been unsupplied. 

SALE OF DOCUMENTS. 

By act of Congress one thousand copies of the Uni ted States map were i n October, 1886, 
published for sale by this office, all of which were sold prior to March 4,1887. By joint 
resolution of March 3, 1887, the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to sell any pub- 
• lie document available for sale at cost price, which service is assigned to this office. 
The details of this service are as follows: 

Receipt of order for document with payment for same. 

Entry of name and address of party purchasing, title of document sold, date of sale 
and price, entered in register. 

Document forwarded by registered mail. 

Letter mailed to purchaser, notifying him of its transmission, and acknowledging 
receipt of payment. 

Money delivered to disbursing officer of the Department, to be covered into the Treas¬ 
ury, and his receipt taken and filed. 

EXCHANGE OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AMONGST LIBRARIES. 

% 

Many of the public libraries of the country find their shelves burdened with diqili- 
cate copies of documents while lacking other documents of eqifal or greater value. At 
the request of certain of these libraries this office has for tho past two or three years 
acted as a medium of exchange, receiving duplicates from, and supplying missing vol¬ 
umes to, a large number of institutions in all parts of the country. Not less than 
twenty-five thousand volumes have thus been redistributed, greatly to the satisfac- 
faction of the libraries themselves and to the advantage of the ])ublic. This valua¬ 
ble service will probably remain a permanent part of the work of the office. 

POSTAGE-STAMPS. 

Requisition made upon postmaster of the city, prepared by stamp clerk, indorsed 
by the superintendent of documents, and signed by Acting or First Assistant Secre¬ 
tary. 

Date of reception and amount in value entered in receiving register. 

Deliveredffiy stamp clerk to the several Bureaus of the Department on requisition 
of heads of the same and their acknowledgment of receipt taken. 

Date of delivery, number, and denomination 0 |f stamps supplied, office to which 
delivered, and value entered in the distributing register by stamp clerk. 

Account verified and balanced by stamp clerk and inspected by superintendent of 
documents. 

OFFICIAL REGISTER OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Prepared biennially. . 

A letter is addressed to each Department of the Government, usually in May or tho 
year for which the Register is prepared, requesting returns for his Department, and 
blanks for fhe same supplied. 

On receipt thereof, usually not earlier than August or September, returns are care¬ 
fully arranged, paged, and in all respects prepared for printing, and forwarded to the 
Public Printer. 


56 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Proof of entire work is read by this office. 

A card index of all names embraced in volumes is then maile, arranged in alpha¬ 
betical order, and printed. 

The Register is published in two volumes and distributed at once to members of 
Congress, with name stamped upon the side. 

Its further distribution as required by law is made as soon as practicable there¬ 
after. 

The preparation of the Official Register, or Blue Book,” involves a large amount 
of labor, chiefly in proof-reading and in making the index. For the index the name 
ot each and every employd of the Government, contained in the two large volumes, 
must be carefully and distinctly written upon a card prepared for the purpose and 
subsequently arranged in the minutest alphabetical order. 

The proof-reading and preparation of the index require the services of one proof¬ 
reader and six indexers lor at least six months. The labor of one clerk for at least 
five mouths is required in the simple arrangement of the cards in alj)habetical order. 

Errors in the preparation of the Official Register can be avoided only by the most 
careful and conscientious service on the part of those employed upon the work. 

Samples in detail of business transacted in office of superintendent of documents. 


PUBLIC DOCUMENT. 

Received and acknowledgment of receipt made to Public Printer. 

Name of document, date of receipt, and number received entered in receiving reg¬ 
ister. 

Deposited in its proper place in storage-rooms. 

Wrapped, and, if a large volume, twined. 

Mailing label, properly addressed, attached. 

Delivered to maiTmesseuger to be deposited in city post-office. 

If sent by registered mail, the acknowledgment of its receipt by registry clerk of 
post-office taken. 

Tho'abqve-uamed work is done by chief of folding-rooms and his assistants. 

Mailing label addressed by‘correspondence clerk and delivered to chief of folding- 
rooms. 

Date of mailing, name and address of party to whom sent, and of party requesting 
or directing its supply entered in distributing register by registry clerk. 

Date of acknowledgment of receipt entered in distributing register by registry 
clerk. 

LETTER. 

• 

Received from chief clerk of Deiiartment. 

Stamped with stamp of office and date of receipt by superintendent of documents. 

Action to be taken indicated, or reply dictated to stenographer and type-writer, by 
superintendent of documents. 

Reply X)repared by type-writer, or other correspondence clerk, whose initials are 
attached. 

^ Examined and initialed by superintendent of documents and delivered to chief 
clerk. 

Signed by Acting or First Assistant Secretary and returned to superintendent of 
documents. 

Press-copied by messenger. 

Inserted in envelope by writer. 

Se.aled and deposited in departmental mail-bag by messenger. 

Date of reply entered upon the original letter by writer of reply. 

Name of correspondent written in red ink in upper right-haud corner by writer of 
reply. 

Letter deposited in file-case, open, by superintendent of documents. 

In case a document available for distribution is requested, a mailing label properly 
addressed is sent to the mailing clerk, and if sent to a party other than the writer of 
the letter, said party is notified of its being mailed and at whose request it is sent, 
while the writer himself is informed of its transmission. 

In case the document requested is a publication of another Department, or of a Bureau 
ot this Department distributiugitsown documents, said letter is referred to the proper 
officer and the writer notified of its reference. 

In case the document cannot be supplied, the writer is at once notified to this effect. 

Alphabetical index of letters dispatched is daily made by index clerk. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period and on hand pending and undisposed of 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 57 

« 

at tlie dates specified below, in tbe document division of tbe Secretary’s office, De¬ 
partment of tbe luterior: 


Public documents. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

J887.* 

Number of documents on hand January 1. 

t250, 000 
202, 045 

246, 234 
274, 874 

337, 047 
164, 846 

297, 313 
19, 000 

Number received during calendar year. 

Total. 

4*52, 645 

521,108 

501, 893 

316,313 

Number distributed durins calendar vear. 

N umber on hand at close of calendar year. 

206,411 
246, 234 

184, 061 
S37,047 

204, 580 
297, 313 

12, 640 
303, 687 



* Received and distributed duriu" January and February and on hand March 1. 
t Estimated. 


The number of documents at any time on baud is no indication whatever of tbe 
amount of business in arrears in tbe matter of their distribution, as many of them are 
at all times held awaiting the direction of members of Congress, upon whose order 
they are distributed. It is seldom that these orders are i)ending more than one week, 
and usually not longer than from one to throe days. 

Addressing dispatch labels, recording names and addresses of parties to whom doc¬ 
uments are sent, the names of persons by whose order or request they are supplied, and 
the date of their transmission and receipt: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887.* 

Number of entries pending January 1. 

t25, 000 

425, 000 

35, 000 

360, 000 

25, 000 

365, 000 

30, 000 

25, 000 

Number of labels and entries involved in business of calendar 
year. 


Total. 

*450, 000 

395, 000 

390, 000 

55, 000 


Number of labels addressed and entries made during calendar 
year. 

415, 000 
35, 000 

370, 000 
25, 000 

360, 000 
30, 000 

45, 000 
10, 000 

Number of entries pending at close of calendar year. 



‘Received and distributed during January and February and on hand March 1. 
t Estimated. 


The above numbers are approximate estimates of the amount of business of this 
character received, transacted, &c. An exact statement can be made from the records 
of the division, but not without the expenditure of more time tban its importance 
would justify. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

The correspondence of the division is practically kept up to date, as it seldom 
happens, except in the absence of the superintendent of documents when on an¬ 
nual leave or ill, .that letters remain more than a day or two unanswered. 

The following is an approximate estimate of the number of communications re¬ 
ceived, including acknowledgments of receipt of documents, and of communica¬ 
tions dispatched: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Number of ^'iirnmnTiip.atioTis reeeived___ 

65, 000 
70, 000 

65, 000 
75, 000 

67, 000 
80, 000 

Number of pnuininTncat.ion.^ di.eipatched.....____......_ 



‘During January and February. 


PREPARATION OP THE OFFICIAL REGISTER OF THE UNITED STATES. 

1884. 

On January 1,1884, about two-thirds of volume 2 of the Register of 1883 were pend¬ 
ing, involving pi oof-reading of 660 pages royal octavo, tine print, indexing of 54,000 
naTnes, and arranging in alphabetical order of 80,000 index cards. This work was 
completed in May, requiring 908 days’ labor. 















































































58 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


1885. 

The entire data in manuscript of volumes I Jiiid 2 of tlie Register of 1885, number¬ 
ing 4,527 folio pages, were received from the several Departments and offices of the 
Government. 

The two volumes of the Register of 1885 were arranged, paged, and in all other 
respects prepared for the printer, and volume 1 and one-third of volume 2 completed, 
involving proof-reading of 1,155 pages, indexing of 74,000 names, and arranging in 
alphabetical order of 40,000 index cards, recpiiring 718 days’ labor. 

1886. 

Volume 2 of the Register of 1885, two-thirds of which were pending January 1, was 
completed in May. The work done embraced proof-reading of 704 pages, indexing of 
57,000 names, and arranging in alphabetical order of 85,000 index cards, and required 
920 days’ labor. 

CUSTODY AND DISTRIBUTION OF UNITED STATES POSTAGE-STAMPS. 

1884. 

Postage-stamps to the value of |i4,520 were received from the postmaster of the city. 

Requisitions for stamps to the amount of $4,647 were received from the several 
Bureaus and offices of the Department, and the stamps delivered accordingly, receipts 


taken, and account properly kept. 

1885. 

Value of stamps received. $2, 415 00 

Value of stamps delivered to Bureaus and offices of Department. 3,346 25 

1886. 

Value of stamps received..... 3,367 00 

Value of stamps delivered to* Bureaus and offices of Department. 3,142 90 

January and February, 1887. >, 

Value of stamps received. 150 00 

Value of stamps delivered to Bureaus aud offices of Department. 152 00 


The statement showing the average amount and character of business performed, 
transacted, and disposed of during the periods specihed by the employ6s in the doc¬ 
ument division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior, can be furnished 
only by taking the entire aggregate amount of the several kinds of work done by the 
division each year, and dividing the same into twelve equal parts. This, however, 
will give only partial aud inadequate information regarding the monthly average 
amount of business transacted, as no small portion of it is of such a character as will 
not admit of such an average statement. As full a statement as is practicable, and 
upon the basis above indicated, is submitted as follows : 


Character of business. 

Average amount of business transacted. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. * 

Documents received and stored . 

Documents folded and distributed. 

Value of documents sold. 

16, 887 

17, 200 

22, 906 
15, 338 

13, 737 
17, 048 
t$300 00 
30, 000 

5, 583 

6, 667 

$280 58 
$261 91 

9, 500 

6, 320 
$300 00 
22, 500 
4,250 

4, 750 

$75 00 
$76 00 

Labels addressed and entries made in distributing Register.. 

Communications received. 

Communications dispatched. 

Postage-stamps: 

Amount in value received. 

Amount distributed. 

34, 583 
5,416 
5, 833 

$376 67 
$387 25 

30, 833 
5,416 
6, 250 

$201 25 
$278 85 



* Daring January and February. t Covers the months of October, November, and December. 


PREPARATION OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTER OF THE UNITED STATES. 

It is impossible, from the character of the work, to make any satisfactory state¬ 
ment of the average monthly business transacted in the matter of the preparation of 
the Official Register. 































THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


59 


. following statement shows the average number of employes in the document 
division of 1#he Secretary’s OfficOj Department of the Interior, during the periods speci- 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

28 

19 

26 

14 

28 

19 

26 

14 

28 

18 

26 

22 

18 

22 

22 

18 

21 

18 

18 

17 

18 

18 

14 

17 

17 

14 

19 

18 

14 

20 

26 

14 

20 

26 

14 

19 
. 26 
14 

1885. 

1886.. 

1887 (toMar.l).n,. 












The large increase in the number of employes of the division during the month® 
of January, February, and March, 1884 and 1886, and October, November, and Decem¬ 
ber, 1885, is explained by the fact that during these months the work of compiling 
the Official Register of the United States was being done. 

Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during 
the periods specified, in the document division of the Secretary’s Office, Department 
of the Interior. 

No such account of the work of each employd of the division as is essential in order 
to supply the information above requested has been kept, for these reasons: 

(1) Because the character ofthe work is such as to render it impracticable to keepsuch 
an account. The work is of such variety from week to week, and often from day to 
day, that it would be impossible to rate it in any such way as to give the “ maxirnum 
and minimum ” transacted during any special month. 

(2) Because it has not been thought that any public interest would be subserved or the 
force of the division made any more industrious or efficient by the attempt to keep 
such a daily record, while the time and attention required in keeping the same accu¬ 
rately would diminish by no small amount the time devoted to the public and press¬ 
ing business of the office. 

The work of the division has never been so small as not to occupy the entire official 
time of every employd, and it has been only by the diligent and faithful labor of each 
and all that the correspondence of the division has been kept practically up to date, 
and that so small arrearages in the distribution of documents or in other matters have 
at any time accumulated. 

These employes deserve commendation for the industry and efficiency they have with 
rare exceptions exhibited, and for the personal interest they have taken in having 
the work of the division well and promptly done. It has been seldom that an inefficient 
or indifferent clerk has been assigned to duty in the division, and whenever this has 
been done such an one has either soon “mended his ways” or been relieved from 
service. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied by the employes in the document division of the Secretary’s Office, Department of 
interior; 


Calendar year. 

a 

o • 

(C 

® .2 
o 

Average No. 
of days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

Remarks. 

1884. 

21i’2 

266g 

7 

The aggregate leaves of ab.sence on account of sickness 
in the division— 

1885. 

20,V 

273 

7 

During the year 1884 amounted to 400 days. 

1886. 

ISrlr 

276i 

7 

During the year 1885 amounted to 200 days. 

1887 (to Mar.l). 

14 

41f 

7 

During the year 1886 amounted to 163 days. 


The reduction in number of employes for January and February, 1887, is accounted 
for chiefly by the fact that no clerks were then employed upon the compilation of the 
Official Register. This work is done during the last months of the odd and the first 
months of the even years. 



































THE department of the interior. 


()() 


The following statemcLt sboMTng tbe maximum number of (lays devoted to business 
by tbe emT)loy6 present for tbe greatest number of days, and also tbe mi-nimum nurnbei 
of days devoted to business by tbe employd ])resent for tbe least number ot days m 
tbe document division of tbe Secretary’s Ofticr^, Department of tbe Interior, diiruig 
tbe periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 


281 

2843f 

281 

48 


' *227 

t222i 

+235^ 

§0 






* Tlio employe preseuf only 2‘27 days was absent 50 days on account of sickness, 
t The cinploio present only 222^ days was absent 52 days on account ot sickness. 
tTho employe present only 235 days was absent 2CJday8on account ot sickness and 21 days without 


^^§Tbi8 employe was absent during tbe entire nioutbs of January and February on account of sick¬ 
ness. 


CENSUS DIVISION. 

JRejJOvt of the census division, Secretavy’s office, on the methods- of hnsiness and wovTc, as 
requested hy Senate Select Committee, and called for hy Department circular of March, 
1887. 

Statement showing tbe principal items of business transacted in tbe census division 
of tbe Secretary’s office, Department of tbe Interior. 

Tbe census division was establisbed for tbe puriiose of completing the unfinisbed 
work of the Tenth Census. 

Tbe principal business transacted therein consists of reading i^pd revising proofs 
of unpublished reports of the Tenth Census, and attending to all correspondence re¬ 
lating to matters connected with tbe census, outside of the distribution of tbe final 
reports. 

Statement showing in detail tbe methods of transacting business in the census divis¬ 
ion of tbe Secretary’s office, in tbe Department of tbe Interior, including one or more 
items of tbe principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning Avitb 
tbe receipt of tbe business matter in tbe Secretary’s Office, and then showing in 
consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through tbe appropriate divisions of said office, and tbe employes through whoso 
bauds the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
thereon bad and taken by each, until tbe same is finally disposed of, aud notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Upon tbe receipt from tbe office of tbe Public Printer of lirst-galley proofs of any report 
the same are immediately stamped “first galley proof.” The date is also stamped 
thereon. Tbe proof is then road by copy and such changes made as seem necessary and 
proper. Tbe marks are then transferred to other sets, which are forwarded tbe author, 
chief special agent, aud, in tbe case of several special reports, to General F. A. Walker, 
former Superintendent of Census, for examination. Upon the return of tbe proofs 
from tbe different parties to wboni they were sent tbe marks are all transferred to the 
office set and forwarded the Foreman of Printing, Government Printing Office, for 
corrected galley proof, or, in case tbe changes are insignificant, for revise in pages. 
Upon tbe receipt of corrected proofs they are carefully examined to see that tbe alter¬ 
ations have all been properly made. If tbe revises are correct, the proof is stamped 
“ready for press” and one set is sent tbe Public Printer. It frequently happens, 
however, especially when illustrations are inserted in tbe body of tbe report, that two 
or three galley proofs, as well as two or three revises in pages, are required. 





















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


61 


The follcwieg statement shows the amount and character of business received 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undis¬ 
posed ot, at the dates speciiied below, in the census division of the Secretary’s office 
Department of the Interior : ’ 


Character of business. 

'C 

p- . 

<1 lO 
^ CO 
00 

3 

a 

Eeceived from April 

24,1885, to Decem¬ 

ber 31, 1885. 

Transacted and dis- 

posed of from 

April 24, 1885, to 

December 31, 1885. 

Amount pending 

January 1, ]e86. | 

Amount received 

during calendar 

-year, 1886. 

Amount transacted 

and disposed of 

during calendar 

year 1886. 

Amount pending 

January 1, 1887. 

Amount received 

during calendar 

year 1887. 

Amount transacted 

and disposed of 

during calendar 

year i887. 

Amount on liand, 

pending and un¬ 

disposed oi'. on 
March 1, 1887. 

Letters received. 

67 

9G1 

1,023 
1, 090 

2 

5 

1,105 

1,108 
1, 426 

5 

2 

184 

182 

126 

1 

4 

Letters written. 

Unpublished volumes of final re¬ 
port on Tenth Census. 

12 


10 


5 


*4 

» 





The four volumes of the final report on the Tenth Census yet to issue embrace : 

Volume 17, part 2, Eeport on the Water Power of the United States. 

Volume 19, part 2, Eeport on Social Statistics of Cities. 

Volume 21, Export on Deaf, Dumb, Blind, Insane, Idiotic, &c. 

Volume 22, Meclianical Eeports and Ice Manufacture. 

These volumes, with the exception of No. 21, are practically complete. Of volume No. 21, 318 pages 
are in type. 

Average amount and character of business performed, transacted, and disposed of 
during the periods speciiied, by the employes in the census division of the Secre¬ 
tary’s office, Department of the Interior. 

Owing to the peculiar (ofttimes technical) character of the labor performed in 
• the census division no attem])t has been made to keep an account of the work of the 
employes. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in tlie census di¬ 
vision of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci¬ 
fied. 



The maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and disposed of by the 
employ^ doing the most and the employ6 doing the least, during the periods speci¬ 
fied, in the census division of the Secretary’s office. Department of the Interior. 

No account has been kept of the business disposed of by each employd, owing to the 
character of the work performed in the division, namelj^: That of reading and revis¬ 
ing proofs of the final report on the Tenth census. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the census division of the Secretary’s office. Department 
of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

1884* . 






6 

196 

7 


1886 . 

5 

206 

7 


1 {fn ATQrrili . _-____ 

3 

46 

7 








* Census division not established until April 24, 1885. 




















































































G2 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number ot days, 
in the census division of the Secretary’s office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified: 



* 1884. 

* 1885. 

1886 

1887 

(to Mar. li. 

Character of business. 

Maximum number of days .... 


201 

285 

48 

Eevising proofs. 

Minimum number of days. 


118 

35 

42 

Holding copy. 


* Census division not established until April 24, 1885. 


ASSISTANT ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S OFFICE. 

liejwrtof ihe AssisianiAttornen-GcneraVs office, on llie methods of business and work, as 

requested by Senate Select Conimitlee, and called for by JJeqwtrtment circular of March 

23, 1887. 

The business transacted in the office of the Assistant Attorney-General consists 
largely of the consideration of cases appealed from the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office to the Secretary of the Interior, which may be classified as follows : 

(1) Cases wherein a claimant under the pre-emption, homestead, timber-culture, 
mineral, swamp-laud, desert-laud, or timber-laud law, asserts a claim as against the 
Government only—which claim the Government denies. 

(2) Cases wherein two or more parties (x)rior to issuance of jiatent to either,) claim 
as against each other. 

(3) Cases wherein the claims of individuals, under any of the before-mentioned 
laws, are contested by a railroad company, claiming under its grant. 

(4) Cases of conflict between a claimant under any of the before-mentioned laws, 
and a private grant, military grant, or Indian reservarion. 

(5) Cases wherein the agents of the General Laud Oftice have reported that fraud 
has been perpetrated against the Government, and the Laud Office has canceled the 
entry (prior to patent), whereuxiou the i)arty accused appeals to the Department. 

(0) Cases wherein, upon report of a special agent, the Commissioner of the General 
Land Office recommends that suit be instituted to set aside a patent already issued. 

(7) Ax)plicatious to have the record of cases in the General Land Office, wherein 
that office has refused an appeal, certified to the Department for examination. 

(8) Aside from cases brought from the General Laud Office by ai)peal or certiorari, 
numerous other questions.from said office are i)resented informally (in writing or ver¬ 
bally), with a request for the legal opinion or advice of the Assistant Attornej'-General. 

(9) The preparation, examination, and revision of circulars to be issued from the 
General Laud Office, the Secretary’s ai^proval of such circulars being essential to their 
validity. 

Besides the above classes of cases and questions coming up from the General Land 
Office, the Assistant Attorney-General’s office is called uxion to perform numerous ad¬ 
ditional duties. 

(10) The examination and consideration of cases of alleged frauds upon the Gov¬ 
ernment in connection with the public lands, transmitted from the Dexiartment of 
Justice, with request for report embodying the views of this Deiiartment as to whether 
or not suit should be instituted by that Department to set aside patent already issued. 

(11) The consideration of bills prepared by committees of the Senate or the House 
of Representatives, and forwarded by their chairman to the Department with request 
for its opinion relative thereto. 

(12) The consideration and preparation of rej)lies, in answer to requests by the Sec¬ 
retary or either of the assistant secretaries, or the heads of the several Bureaus and 
divisions of the Department (Patent Office, Indian Office, Railroad Office, &c.) for the 
legal opinion of the Assistant Attorney-General relative to the construction of some 
specific law. 

(13) The answering of letters of inquiry relative to the status of cases before the 
office. 

(14) The hearing of cases argued orally before the Assistant Attorney-General (some¬ 
times including the Secretary or one of the assistant secretaries). 

(1.5) The selection of the more ihiportant departmental decisions relative to land 
cases, for publication in book form, their preparation for the press, proof-reading, in¬ 
dexing, &c. . • . . 





















THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


63 


• ’ 


(16) A large amount of work of a character too miscellaneous for classification, as 
the examination into the validity of contracts, the sufficiency of bonds, the prepara¬ 
tion of reports, &c. 

The number of employes in the office of the Assistant Attorney-General from the 
beginning of the year 1884 until the present time has been ten, consisting of chief law 
clerk, seven lawyers, one stenographer, and one (lady) type-writer. 

Zach. Montgomery, Assistant Attorney'General .—The Assistant Attorney-General 
rarely prepares personally decisions in contested cases (such as are described under 
Nos. 1 to 7 of the preceding statement), his time being fully occupied in the consid¬ 
eration and preparation of replies to inquiries submitted by the Secretary, assistant 
secretaries, or heads of Bureaus, the hearing of cases argued orally before him, and 
other miscellaneous labors (see Nos. 12, 14, and 16 of preceding statement). It de¬ 
volves upon him also to give audience to the numerous attorneys and others having 
business before his office, answer their questions, listen to their explanations, preside 
over the meetings of the board of lawyers held three or four times each week (as 
hereinafter set forth), examine into the correctness of decisions passed by that board, 
and perform many other duties not capable of being briefly described. 

E. F. Best, chief law clerk .—He assists the Assistant Attorney-General in his various 
duties. Before him come the cases transmitted to the office, which he briefly looks 
into and assigns for fuller examination to the lawyer of the Assistant Attorney-Gen- 
eraPs force who is most familiar with the question involved (homestead, mineral, pri¬ 
vate grant, swamp-land, <fec.). These duties occupy the greater portion of his time. 
Nevertheless he writes a few decisions, generally such as involve the more delicate 
and complicated questions coming before the office. 

V. Brent, L. R. Smith, F. L. Campbell, S. V. Proudfit, J. B. McNainee, H. M. 
Friend, and R. B. Lamon.are the other lawyers of the office force. 

Mr. Proudfit is editor of the volume of Laud Decisions printed annually by the De¬ 
partment, containing the more important cases decided, circulars issued, &c. This 
volume, as a work of reference to the lawyers formulating the decisions of the Depart¬ 
ment, tends to uniformity and consistency of departmental decisions, and to the dis¬ 
patch of public business. Formerly, when a lawyer upon the staff of the Assistant 
Attorney-General wished to make a thorough investigation of the line of previous 
decisions on a given subject, he was compelled to go to another part of the building, 
and there, in the way of others and at great inconvenience to himself, examine and 
copy from the official records, and if any other lawyer upon the force desired to in¬ 
vestigate some other subject rendering necessary an examination of the same book, 
he must be delayed for hours or days until he could obtain access thereto. In short, 
these published Land Decisions are of the same use to the Department that the printed 
“Statutes at Large ” are both to the members of Congress who make the laws, and to 
lawers who desire to become familiar with them, and whose work would be greatly 
delayed if they were compelled to depend upon a single manuscript official record of 
the laws enacted in the past. 

To select from the numerous decisions rendered those which involve leading and 
more important principles, furnishing precedents for future action, to prepare a care¬ 
ful syllabus for each, to eliminate portions of lengthy statements not necessary to an 
elucidation of the principle involved in the case, to read proof aud revise, to oversee 
the making up into shapely pages a volume of frotn six hundred to nine hundred 
])ages annually, aud finally to make a comprehensive, complete, and well-arranged 
index thereto,'demands the full time and attention of one of the lawyers upon the As¬ 
sistant Attorney-GeneraPs force, so that he writes but few decisions. 

The duties of the stenographer are, in part, indicated by his official designation, 
although he performs other miscellaneous duties; he acts as librarian, keeps a record 
showing to what lawyer the different cases or letters are assigned for examination or 
answer, and when not occupied in such miscellaneous work examines and formulates 
decisions in such cases as do not require a discussion of difficult and complicated 
questions of law. 

The operator of the type-writer is fully occupied in making type-written copies of 
the decisions, opinions, and letters written by the Assistant Attorney-General and the 
several lawyers upon his staff. She is also to some extent a stenographer, being 
able to read"the short-hand notes of the official stenographer without the necessity of 
his rewriting them before putting them through the type-writer. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the office of the 
Assistant Attoruey-Geueral, Department of tlie Interior, beginning with the receipt 
of business matter in said office, and showing inconsecutive order the action taken 
thereon by each of the eniploy6s by whom it is considered or acted upon, until the 
same is finally disposed of. 

Nearly all cases or communications intended for the aption of the Assistant Attor¬ 
ney-General’s office (whatever their original source), are received through the division 
of lauds and railroads, where they have previously been briefed, registered, and 


* 64 TPIE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

filed. Occasionally coniniimications are received tlirongh the office of the Commis¬ 
sioner of Indian Affairs, the Pension Office, or some other office. Sometimes the Sec¬ 
retary or one of the Assistant Secretaries forwards or requests verbally the 

opinion of the Assistant Attorney-General upon some point of law. 

Communications from outside the Secretary’s office may, for convenience of consid¬ 
eration, be divided into two classes : (1) Cases on appeal from the General Land Of¬ 
fice ; (2) Miscellaueous, consisting of all other comirinnicatioiis. 

(1) All miscellaneous communications registered in the division of lauds and rail¬ 
roads intended for the office of the Assistant Attorney-General, are at once sent to his 
table, and are by him or the chief law clerk answered or assigned to some member of 
the legal force or the stenographer to answer. 

(2) . Cases transmitted from the General Laud Office on appeal are not at once for¬ 
warded to the Assistant Attorney-General’s Office, there being neither room nor con¬ 
venience therein for filing several thousand cases. They are therefore retained on file 
in the division of lauds and railroads until sent for by the Assistant Attornej^-Geu- 
eral. The appeals for a given mouth are generally brought in at once— i. e., an aver¬ 
age of from one to two hundred cases. 

(3) If a very important and difficult case be on the “ docket” for a given month, it 
may be assigned by the assistant Attorney-General or chief law clerk for consideration 
to the lawyer who is most experienced and competent to deal with the peculiar ques¬ 
tions involved therein. The simpler class oi cases, however, are taken up, in the 
order in which they were appealed, by any lawyer who may have finished the work 
previously assigned him. 

(4) The lawyer to who-m the case or communication is assigned examines into the 
facts and the law, formulates in manuscript his decision, conclusion, or reply (as the 
case may be), aud furnishes it to the lady clerk, who makes a copy thereof upon the 
type-writer. 

(5) A simple answer to a letter of inquiry, involving no legal principle, is then 
initialed by the person who prepared it, aud by him i^laoed before the Assistant At¬ 
torney-General, who (if he approves it) also initials it aud forwards it to the Secretary 
for his signature. 

(6) Where a legal principle is involved, the type-written decision is brought, by 
the lawyer preparing it, before the “board” of lawyers of the Assistant Attorney- 
General’s office—sitting in “ committee of the whole,” as it were, with the Assistant 
Attorney-General for chairman. This ‘ ‘ board ” meets every Monday, Wednesday, and 
Friday afternoon, aud if more decisions have accumulated for reading and consider¬ 
ation than can be disposed of during those days, an extra meeting is held on Satur¬ 
day afternoon. 

(7) At those meetings of the board, the lawyer who has prepared a decision reads 
it; whereupon the Assistant Attorney-General, or any lawyer upon his force who may 
feel so inclined, may criticise it or comment upon it. Sometimes a decision is ao-reed 
to as written ; sometimes slight and merely verbal changes are made ; sometimes the 
decision as written is voted down, and the writer thereof (if convinced by the ar''-u- 
ments presented that it should be reversed) writes a contrary decision. If the one who 
wrote it is not convinced that it should be rev^ersed, it is assigned to one of those who 
is so convinced. The Assistant Attorney-General, however, is the arbiter in determ¬ 
ining whether or not an opinion is in shape to be submitted to the Secretary for his con¬ 
sideration ; and in deciding that question he exercises his own judgment, in view of 
all the light which his entire staff of assistants can throw upon the question to be de¬ 
termined. 

This system of board meetings and free discussions of law questions, in which his 
entire staff of attorneys are allowed to participate, was first inaugurated by the 
present Assistant Attorney-General, immediately after he entered upon the duties of 
his office in May, 1885. 

Statement showing the number of days and the time and attention devoted to the 

consideration and transaction of business during the years 1884, 1885, 1886 aud 

1887 until April 1, by the employes in the office of the Assistant Attorney-General 

Department of the Interior. ’ 

During the three years and three months mentioned, there has not been a day’s ab¬ 
sence of any member of the force, beyond the thirty days’ annual leave of absence 
except for sickness. ’ 

In 1884 the Department was open for business 307 days. Allowing each ernployd 
thirty days’ leave of absence, the number of days’ work due from each was 277. The 
average number of days present was 274. This would indicate an averao-e of three 
days’ sickness for each employ6 during 1884. ® 

In 1885 the Department was open for business 301 days. Deductin<»- thirty days’ 
leave of absence, each employ<5 sbould have worked 271 days. The avxra<''e numb^er 
was275 days. Although there was some sickness (the exact amount indeterminate) 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


65 


tlie loss therefrom was more than made up by the fact that several of the employds 
omitted to take in lull the customary thirty days’ leave of absence. Some were ab¬ 
sent but hve days during the year; others from eight to twenty-five. The maximum 
number ot days any employd was present was 296^; minimum, 266. 

Department was open to business 305 days. More of the employes took 
meir full leave of absence than the preceding year; and there was more sickness. 
Ihe average attendance was 269^ days. The shortest period of presence was 257 
days by one who took twenty-five days of absence, and was sick twenty-three days. 
Maximum, 297 days. 

Ihe number of hours’ work is nominally seven ; actually, considerably more. The 
meetings of the board are generally prolonged until some little time after 4 o’clock. 
On other occasions it is not an uncommon thing for one or other of the employes to 
remain at work until half after 4 or later. The editor of the Land Decisions fre- 
(|uently finds it necessary to work evenings, especiallv when the book is nearly fin¬ 
ished—in preparing the index. 

Statement showing the amount of business transacted and disposed of by the office 

of the Assistant Attorney-General, Department of the Interior, during the periods 

specified below. 

The blank furnished to be filled out or substantially followed asks for a statement 
of the amount of business received, transacted, and disposed of, and the amount on 
hand at several specified dates. 

The Assistant Attorney-General’s office keeps no full record of cases and letters re¬ 
ceived. There is no need that it should do so ; such record, if kept, would be simply 
a duplicate of the record kept by the division of lands and railroads, which shows 
fully and clearly all cases and letters transmitted to the office of the Assistant Attor¬ 
ney-General. The number is continually changing, not only day by day, but hour 
by hour—varying from twenty to two hundred. 

Reference has before been made to requests from the Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, 
or chiefs of divisions for the opinion of the Assistant Attorney-General regarding 
some disputed point of law. The present Assistant Attorney-General, during the 
year 1885 (after his appointment. May 25), wrote such opinions to the amount of 
266 (type-writer) pages; during 1886, 415 pages; during January, February and 
March, 1887, 76 pages. 

During the year 1884 there were written in the office of the Assistant Attorney- 
General 617 decisions ; 31 answers to motions for review ; 105 letters regarding tim¬ 
ber trespass, and 196 miscellaneous letters—total, 949 ; or an average of 79 per mouth. 

During the year 1885 there were written 561 decisions; 67 answers to motions for 
review ; 131 letters relating to timber trespass—and 237 miscellaneous letters— 
total, 996; or an average of 83 i)er month. 

During 1886 there were written 934 decisions; 45 answers to applications for re¬ 
view, and 172 miscellaneous letters—total, 1,151 ; or an average of 96 per month. 

(In 1886 nearly all the letters relative to timber trespass were written in another 
division, and the few that were prepared in the Assistant Attornej^-General’s Office 
are entered under the head “ Miscellaneous”—which also includes 38 answers to re¬ 
quests for the institution of suit by the United States to vacate patent.) 

During the first three months of 1887 the work of the office has been as follows : 



January. 

February. 

March. 

Total. 

"npr.iainns__ ________ 

81 

76 

84 

22 

241 

]Vf isp.p.llanp.nna _______ 

45 

14 

91 




126 

90 

106 

332 


In 1884 the lawyer editing the volume of Land Decisions wrote but 19 cases and 
5 miscellaneous letters (out of 949); in 1885 a few less, in 1886 a few more. In at¬ 
tempting to arrive at the average number of decisions and letters written by each 
employ^, the editor of the Land Decisions and the decisions prepared by him should 
be omitted. 

The chief law clerk and the stenographer are each a considerable portion of the 
lime engaged in other work than writing decisions or letters (of the kind that be¬ 
come matters of record) ; hence in estimating an average these two should be ac¬ 
counted as one. 

Estimated upon such a basis, the average result would be as follows : During 1884, 
8 cases per month; 1885, 11 cases per month; 1886, 13 cases per mouth; 1887 (first 
three months), 15 cases iier month. 

3884 INT- 5 


















66 


IHE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


(It should he recollected that during the first quarter of 1887 only two or three 
days' leave of absence anil four or five days’ sickness are to be deducted. When the 
employds have each taken his thirty days’ leave of absence this last average will nec¬ 
essarily be considerably reduced.) 

Almost daily one or more letters are written in the Assistant Attorney-General’s 
office that do not go upon the Department records anywhere. Such, for example, as 
letters in reply to in juiries made as to the status of cases, and the like. 

The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employd doing the 
least during the periods specified, in the office of the Assistant Attorney-General, 
Department of the Interior : 


EMPLOYS DOING THE MOST.—MAXIMUM. 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

Tune. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

18 

17 

22 

21 

11 

23 

17 

19 

20 

16 

15 

19 

1885. 

24 

14 

22 

39 

30 

22 

20 

8 

18 

26 

31 

21 

1886 . 

28 

G 

39 

48 

47 

9 

53 

50 

81 

20 

19 

44 

1887 (to March 1)____... 

52 

22 

44 












EMPLOYS DOING THE LEAST.—MINIMUM. 


1884 . 

1885 . 

188G. 

1887 (to March 1). 


It should be understood that the number of cases disposed of during any given 
month b^ any particular employb is absolutely no criterion whatever by which to 
judge of his ability or diligence. For instance, an employee resigns, quitting work 
May 31 ; a decision written by him on that day, however, does not obtain the Secre¬ 
tary’s signature until June 1st or 2d. But this does not indicate that this one letter 
constitutes the entire month’s work of any employd. 

Again, in February, 1885, the then editor of the volume of Land Decisions prepared 
but one decision, his time being nearly all occupied by his regular work. So the 
record, in the space allotted to February, 1885, showing that the employd doing the 
least prepared one decision, is no correct indication of the amount of work doi^ by 
any employd. 

Again, the most competent and diligent lawyer may formulate the fewest decisions 
in the course of a mouth or a year and the least competent make the largest show¬ 
ing as to number. For instance: In December, 1883, the case of the Atlantic, Gulf 
and est Indian Transit Company was allotted to one of the ablest lawyers on the 
force. He spent a mouth in its investigation, working an average of more than eight 
hours a day. About the middle of January, 1884, the opinion prepared was placed 
before the Secretary, who signed it January 21. The legal question at issue being 
decided, the stenographer, who knew nothing whatever of the law in the case, wrote 
up forty-two decisions in cases in which said company was plaintiff, within three 
days thereafter while another difficult case was given to the lawyer in which to pre- 
l)are an opinion. It thus comes about that the lawyer who did the most work and 
the most difficult work of any member of the force at that time, stands credited with 
but one decision in January and one in February, while the stenographer, who at¬ 
tended to such matters less than half his time, stands credited with the preparation 
of more than twice as many decisions during that month as any other member of the 
force. In a similar manner the eighty-one cases constituting the maximum for Sep¬ 
tember, 1886, were nearly all formulated as fast as the type-writer could print them, 
in pursuance of the “Thomas Rees” decision, the examination of which occupied 
more than a month. 

Some cases or letters coming before the office to be acted upon or answered con¬ 
sist of but a single page, a decision or answer to which can be formulated in live 
minutes, and consist of but as many lines; while others (like the Buena Vista and 
Lake Kern case, under consideration at this date) require the reading of more evi¬ 
dence and other documents than the entire contents of the Holy Bible. 


1 1 

2 3 

3 1 


3 0 

4 3 

5 2 

0 . 


1 2 

3 1 

4 2 


4 4 

3 3 

0 2 


3 2 

0 4 

0 4 


2 4 

1 1 

1 3 






















































TITE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


67 


BUREAU or LABOR. 

licport of the llareaii of Labor on the methods of hnsUioss and work, as requested hy Senate 
Select Committee, and colled for by Department circular of March 23, 1887. 

Depautment of the Interior, Bureau of Labor, 

Washington, D. C., May 28, 1887. 

Sir ; In compliauco with the request of tlie chainnaii of the Senate Select Commit¬ 
tee a])pointe(l “to inquire into and examine the methods of business and work in the 
Executive Departments,” embodied in your circniar letter of the date of March 23, 
1887, I have the honor to submit the inclosed statement. 

Very respectfully, your obedieut servant, 

OREN W. WEAVER, 

Acting Commissioner. 

The Secretary of the Interior. 


An examination of the departmental forms furnished for the transmission of infor¬ 
mation relative to methods of business and Avork in the Executive De]>artment8 shows 
that only those calling for “ the average number of employds by mouths ” and “ the 
average number of days and the time and attention devoted to the consideration and 
transaction of business ” can lie categorically replied to by this Bureau. The data 
relative to these two subjects wdll be found embodied herein. 

In a general wuiy simply, the I’easons for \vhich are set forth below, can the infor¬ 
mation desired under the following heads be given: 

Statement showing the ])riucipal items of business transacted ; 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business; 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacied, and 
disjiosed of and on hand, pending and undisposed of, &,c.; 

Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least, &c.; 

Statement showing the maximum number of days devoted to business by the em- 
])loyd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum number of days 
devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days. 

At the lirst session of the Forty-eighth Congress the following act w'as passed: 

act to establish a Bureau of Labor. 

it enacted by the Senate and House of Eepresentatives of the United States of Amer¬ 
ica in Congress assembled, That there shall be established in the Department of the 
Interior a Bureau of Labor, which shall be under the charge of a Commissioner of 
Labor, who shall be appointed by the I’resident, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate. The Commissioner ot Labor shall hold his oflice for four years, and un¬ 
til his successor shall be appointed and qualilied, unless sooner removed, and shall 
receive a salary of |3,000 a year. The Commissioner shall collect information u,pon 
the suliject of labor, its relation to caiiital, the hours of labor, and the earnings of 
laboring men and women, and the means of promoting their material, social, intel¬ 
lectual, and moral prosperity. The Secretary of the Interior, upon the recommenda¬ 
tion of said Commissioner, shall appoint a chief clerk, wdio shall receive a salary of 
!$2,00() per annum, and such other employds as may be necessary for the said Bureau : 
Provided, That the total expense shall not exceed .$i5,000 per annum. During the 
necessary absence of the Commissioner, or when the office shall become vacant, the 
chief clerk shall perform the duties of Commissioner. The Commissioner shall an¬ 
nually make a report in writing to the Secretary of the Interior of the information 
collected and collated by him, and containing such recommendation as he may deem 
calculated to promote the efficiency of the Bureau.” 

This act was approved by the President June 27, 1884. It was carried into effect 
by the appointment of the Commissioner January 31, 1885. The chief clerk was aji- 
pointed February 3, 1885. 

It will be seen that the duties devolved upon the Bureau are, in theirnatiire, greatly 
difh-reut from those of most other bureaus. Many of the executive branches of the 
Government are engaged in theexaniinatiou of accounts, or the investigation of claims, 
or in work of a similar nature, in wffiich there are specific lines to be follow^ed, under 
laws more or less definite, the wmrk progressing through various stages, each of which 
is susceiitible of summation as to the number of persons employed, the exact character 
of the duties, the amount of work performed, &c. In other words, the work is such 
as, from its nature, becomes routine in character. 



68 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The work of this Bureau, however, is widely difierent. It is engaged in original 
investigation into the social and economic condition of the j’cople, the results of wliich 
are x^reseuted in annual rex)ort8. The duties of the employes of the Bureau are of 
such a multifarious and 8X)ecial character, and so interchaugcahlo, that the forujs of 
inquiry suitable to elicit from other offices a complete statement of methods of work 
are, in great measure, inax)x^licable. Such information as can be given, therefore, 
must be given without si^ecial reference to these forms. 

The force of the Bureau consists, for field work, of 18 special agents, employed x)er- 
manently, and such assistants and experts, employed temporarily^ as may be neces¬ 
sary. The office force allowed for tabulation, classification, and collation of material 
collected by the field force consists of lGx>ersons. This force is not divided into divis¬ 
ions, but all work practically as one division. The office force should be increased to 
at least 20 clerks of all grades: 

The following statement shows the average number of emx)loy«5s, by mouths: 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

' 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 






0927 

IG 







1885.. 


02 1 

43^1 

026 

^31 

18 

6 

18 

10?.? 

17§? 

1 

04 1 fi 

‘•^31 

24?,? 

344 ? 

00 2 8 
*•^3 0 

3853 

24? 

4ii? 

19M 

443 % 

19^? 

43i? 

1886.. 

19 

1887 (to March 1). 













The following statement shows the average number of days and hours x>er day de¬ 
voted to business: 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
n u mber 
of days 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily/ 

1884 . 




1885 . 

34 

132 3 

7 

1886 . 

54 

145 5 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

54 

39.1 

7 


Axii^ointments of employes have been made and terminated at various dates. The 
service of some has been continuous, but that of a considerable number, emxiloyed 
for temporary work, has been brief. The average number of possible days of service 
(days when the Bureau was officially oxieu) for each was, in 1<885, 133.8; in 1886, 
154.3 ; in 1887, to March 1, 40.7. The average days of absence for each was, in 1885, 
1.5; in 1886, 8.8; in 1887, to March 1, 1.6. 

Only the days when the Bureau was officially open have been taken into account. 
The Bureau was closed as follows : 


Closed. 


Sundays. 

Ilefinlar holidays 
By special order. 

Total. 


1885 (from 
Jan. 31). 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1 ). 

48 

52 

9 

5 

6 

2 

5.5 

2 


58.5 

60 

11 


In regard to the daily hours of employment it may be stated that some employes 
have habitually worked more than the seven required, and that during a period of 
four months or so in 1886 nine worked daily about three hours extra. As no record 
Avas kexit of this, it is not included above. 

Tlie agents and others in the field are kept constantly employed in collectino- infor¬ 
mation upon such special lines of investigation as miiy bo laid out by the Commis¬ 
sioner with the approval of the honorable Secretary of the Interior, or as are directed 
to be undertaken by Congress. They are lu’ovided with a complete series of inqui¬ 
ries relating to the investigation on hand upon which information is desired, with 
carefully prepared explanations and directions relative to each inquiry, and are held 
strictly to the collection of just Avhat is called for. The rpsult of their work is for¬ 
warded to the office from time to time, and as quicklv as possible is taken in hand bv 
the office force. 

The first Avork in the office is the examination of this material by some cf the most 
expert clerks, Avith a view to the discovery of errors. Such as are trivial, and those 





























































Tim DEPARTxMllNT OP TUP INTERIOR. 


C9 


in which the proper correction is manifest, are rectified hy the examiner. In the 
3ase of others a duplicate of the agent’s report is transmitted to him, with a request for 
correction or explanation, or if his personal presence is considered necessary he is 
directed to report iit Washington. When this preliminary work has been done all of 
the material which is susceptible of statistical treatment is then ready for tabulation. 
When practicable the details relating to each unit of investigation are presented in 
the tabulation, to the end that the basis on which the resulting sununaries are estab¬ 
lished may be seen. In the stcheiue of tabulation it is aimed to arrange the various 
points in such a way that their logical connection may be shown, and if the work is 
one that involves a scries of tables these are arranged in a natural and progressive 
order, so that the regular forward movement to the conclusion may bo apparent. 

The only routine work of the Bureau is what relates to the management of its own 
employes and to the transaction of its business with the Department of the Interior. 

The number of letters received has been as follows: 


1885. 1,650 

1386 . 7,545 

1887 (to March 1). 2,320 


All letters requiring reply are answered upon the day of their receipt, if practi¬ 
cable. In case information is asked for, the preparation of which requires time, the 
answer is made at the earliest possible date. All letters re([uiriug an answer receive 
one, and all information asked for, proper for the Bureau to furnish, and within its 
means, is forwarded as soon as possible. Its correspondents may be classiiiedas with 
its agents, with the Department of the Interior, with other officials, and with the 


public. 

The number of letters written has been as f Hows : 

1835 . 1,240 

1886 .-. 1,285 

1887 (to March 1). 232 

Number of First Annual Reports mailed: 

1886 . 7,763 

1887 (to March 1). 954 

Number of volumes of the Report on Labor and Capital mailed: 

1885 .*. 6,373 

1886 . 2,131 

1887 (to March 1). 96 


BUREAU OF EDUCATION. 


Washington, D. C., Jane 17, 1887. 

Sir : In obedience to the circular letter of the Secretary of the Interior, dated 
March 28,1887, directing that heads of Bureaus prepare for their several offices the state¬ 
ments required by the Select Committee of the Senate, appointed “to inquire into 
and examine the methods of business and work in the Executive Departments of the 
Government, &c.,” I have the honor to submit herewith the reports of the chiefs of 
divisions of the Bureau of Education, compiled and tabulated upon the blank forms 
furnished by the Department of the Interior. 

Very "respectfully, your obedient servant. 


The honorable the Secretary of the Interior. 


N. H. R. DAWSON, 
Commissioner of Education. 


RECORD DIVISION. 

Beportof the record division, Education Office, on the methods of husines s and worTc, as re¬ 
quested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 23, 
1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the record division 
of the Education Office, Department of the Interior. 

Opening the mail, answering letters, acknowledging documents, and sending out 
the documents and ])ublications of the office. 

In addition to the above, the slips used in sending out documents are addressed, 
the various letter-books, refniisition books, and other press-copy books are indexed. 

To prevent the fading and destruction of letters in the letter-press books, copyists 
transcribe the official correspondeuco of the office into record books furnished by the 
Interior Department. 















70 


THE DEPARTMENT OF TflE INTERIOlt. • 


By the laborers ,—Sweeping aud cleaning rooms, building lires, mailing documents, 
running errands on official business, and a variety ot other services too numerous to 
mention. 

In addition to the above, owing to the lack of watchmen for the building, the la¬ 
borers are required to serve as watchmen after office hours, on Sundays, and holidays, 
■without compensation. 

Statement showing in detail the method of transacting business in the record di¬ 
vision of the Education Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or 
more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning 
with the receipt of the business matter in the office, aud then showing in consecu¬ 
tive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the eiuployds through whose 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

A letter received is opened by the chief clerk, anti at once stamped, num bered, and 
indexed. It is then read by the Commissioner or the chief clerk. If it is tound to be 
a request for documents, the letter is referred to a clerk who writes a slip indicating 
what document is desired. On the back of the letter is written what has been sent, 
and the date of sending. The mail slip is then sent to the document room, aud the 
proper volume is wrapped by one of the laborers, and mailed on the same day that 
the slip is received. 

The daily routine of business is as follows : 

Mail matter is opened. Letters are stamped with date of receixit, numbered, in¬ 
dexed, answered, aud hied, with the action noted on the brief. 

Documents received are acknowledged aud are then sent to the library. 

Letters received are classihed under the following heads : 

(1) Those asking for specihe information such as will require a written reply. 

(2) Those that can be answered by sending some one of the publications of the 
office. 

(3) Replies to official inquiries. 

The time within which letters of thehrst class can be answered varies from one day 
to one week. It is a rule of the office that all letters shall be answered, jf possible, 
on the date of receipt. . ^ 

Letters that can be answered by sending an official document are attended to ou 
the day of receipt. 

Letters of the third class are hied for reference. 

By the laborers .—Copying the official correspondence of the office in letter-press 
books. 

When the annual report of the Commissioner is delivered to the office, each volume 
is wrapped in stout paper, a mailing slip is pasted on each, aud each one is securely 
tied, placed in bags, aud loaded upon the mail-wagon. 

The same is done with each of the publications of the office. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, aud disposed of during the period, and ou hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specified below, in the record division of the Education Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Character of business. 


Letters received. 

Letters sent out. 

Acknowledgments re¬ 
ceived .. 

Documents sent out. 

Documents received. 


Oj 

<o 

u 

c3 

ri 

a 

<u 


tD 

.9 

s 

P 


9, 868 
6 , 769 

56, 244 
351, 061 
425, 500 


<£i 


bC 

n 

V 

s 

P 


9, 980 
22, 074 

39, 894 
123, 768 
260, 650 


bO 

a 

3 

P 


9, 328 
17,585 

46, 561 
) +90,839> 
>§129, 6415 
108, 800 


CO 

(X o 

<o S 

^ c3 
c3 O 


0^ 




« rt 

s 

be Pi 

•Sh? 


k: 

_ ^ 
■w rt 

O 'P3 
a q 

lU 

|1 

« bJD 
Cu rt 
CO 

C5 pi 

H 


2,471 
2, 331 

7, 882 

(II) 

25, 000 


.273 

rq o 
Q O 

ri 

C =(H 
CS o 
- o -t- 
br cc 

a ooo 

® « 

Q.. 

(- 

9 o 

3 oo'pi 
O q 
fl a® 
O 


0) CO 
2 ft 

pH jrt 

.2 ® 

Pi 
CS f3 


U be 
cs a 

CC .rH 

§3 


05 

^ o 

S <y 
a o 

fl ® 00 
•rH 7^ 00 
^ rH 

^ CS ^ 


^ 
^ a 

05 

Ph V 


C5 

0) 

rr- < 

c_> ^ 

« tt 

CS Q 

a;'.Pi 


;2| 

9 ® 

CS O 
- ® 

tx 05 o 
P O 00 

PI q 

® cs n 

P<Ph 01 
o ki 

9 m cs 

2 xrs 
® fl 

p hhP) 

O 


t J.inuary 1 to Juno 30. 1886. || Covered by “Documents sent out ” from July 1 

§ July 1,1886, to March 1,1887. 1886, to March 1, 1887. 


" All. 

I None. 





































The department oe the interior. 


71 


I he following statement shows the average amount and character of business per* 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specilied, by the employes in 
the record division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior : 


1884. 

1885. 

1886. 
188T. 


Letters received and answered during— 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Kov. 

Dec. 

697 
865 
624 
1,153 

766 
1,122 
838 
1,318 

810 

833 

1,140 

656 

1,103 

631 

392 

1,111 

568 

467 

737 

564 

795 

914 

653 

977 

741 

577 

800 

621 

480 

1, 379 
598 
520 

1,192 
590 
1,565 

937 
695 
1,168 












The following statement shows the average number of employes in the record di¬ 
vision of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, during the i^eriods speci¬ 
fied : 

CLERKS. 



1884. 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

1885.. 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 


7 

7 

1886. 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

• 7 

6 

1887, to March 1. 

6 

6 






















*A11 the laborers of the Bureau are attached to the record division, though rendering service in all 
parts of the building as needed. 

Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed’of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during 
the periods specihed in the record division of the Education Office, Department of 
the Interior. 

The reasons why no such account as called for by this statement has been kept are 
as follows: 

(1) It has been impossible, owing to the nature of the work in therecord division. 

(2) It has been customary to assign certain portions of the work to certain persons 
to do. On some days it has taken a large portion of the time to perform such duties, 
and on some days the work has not been so great. On other days more work has been 
brought into the division than could possibly be performed, and the clerks of the di¬ 
vision have frequently worked over hours to complete it, and thus a general average 
has been made. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied, by the employes in the record division of the Education Office^, Department of the 
Interior: 



Clerks. 

Laborers. 

Calendar year. 

Employes. 

Average 
days present. 

Average hours 
employed 
daily. 

Employes. 

Average 
days present. 

Average hours 
employed 
daily. 

1884. 

8 

277 

Gh 

Gh 

7 

277 


1885 . 

8 

27H 

7 

27H 

Gh 

1886 . 

8 * 

275" 

Gh 

7 

275 

Gh 

1887, to March 1. 

8 

48 

Gh 

6 

48 

Gh 


* Seven for four months. 



































































































72 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The followinj? statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days in the record division of the 
Education Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 


307 

30H 

305 

48 










STATISTICAL DIVISION. 

lieport of the statistical division, Education Office, on the methods of business and worlc, as 
requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 23, 
1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the statistical di¬ 
vision of the Education Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) The tabulation of educational statistics furnished in response to circulars and 
forms of inquiry. 

(2) The discussion of the tables. 

(3) The compilation of information on educational s ubjects, from printed sources, 
native and foreign. 

(4) The direction of printing the above, either in annual reports, special reports, 
circulars of information, or bulletins. 

(5) The preparation, sending out, receiving, and verifying statistical returns from 
several thousands of school systems, schools, colleges, libraries, and other learned in¬ 
stitutions and correspondents. 

(6) The composition and jireparation of letters sent out on statistical subjects in 
reply to inquiries received. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the statistical divis¬ 
ion of the Education Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the Education Office, and then showing in con¬ 
secutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employds through whose 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and notice 
thereof duly given to the ])roper party. 

The material for the statistical tables is received from the chief clerk in the form of 
special written returns or printed reports and catalogues; it is then given to the tabu¬ 
lators, who classify it, verify it, and arrange it into tables, and turn them over to the 
person designated to study and discuss them. The proof-reader next prepares them 
for the press, and forwards them, through the chief of division, the chief clerk, and 
the stationery and printing division of the Department, to the foreman of printing. 
The proof is received in due course through the same channel, read, and returned. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at the 
dates specified below, in the statistical division of the Education Office, Department 
of the Interior. 

Aynount disposed oj during IH'SA. —Finished Annual Report for 1882-’83, 1,105 pages, 
made up from reports of 10,128 institutions and systems. Commenced Annual Re¬ 
port for 1883-’84. Prepared for the press and read the proof of seven Circulars of In¬ 
formation, aggregating 744 pages. Also five Bulletins, aggregating about 90 pages. 

Business disposed of, 1885.—Finished compiling Annual Report for 1883-34, 1,214 
pages, from reports and returns of 11,663 institutions and systems. Commenced An¬ 
nual Report, 1884-85. Prepared for the press and read the proof of five Circulars of 
Information, aggregating 711 pages. 

Business disposed of 1886 and to March 1,1887.—Finished Annual Report for 1884-’85, 
1,153 pages; compiled from the reports and returns of institutions and systems. An¬ 
nual Report for 1885-86 in process of preparation March 1, 1887. Compiled, pre¬ 
pared for the press, and read the proof of the Special Report on the Educational Ex. 

















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


73 


bibits and Conventions at the New Orleans Exposition, 962 pages; Special Report on 
Mnsemns of Anatomy, 65 pages. Prepared for the press and read the proof of three 
Circnjars of Information, aggregating 258 pages. On hand March 1,1887, one Circu¬ 
lar ot Information not yet prepared for the press: also the uuliuished report for 
1885-’86 mentioned above. 


following stateuient shows the average number of employes in the statistical 

division of the Education Office, Dexiartmeut of the Interior, during the periods siie- 
citied: o i. x 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept, 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

1885. 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

19 

18 

19 

19 

188G. 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

19 

19 

19 

13 

13 

1887 (to March 1). 

14 

15 

























Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during 
the periods specified, in the statistical division of the Eaucation Office, Department 
of the Interior. 

The character of the work done by the statistical division is such that it cannot 
be recorded in tabular form. Appended is a memorandum showing the nature of the 
work done by one employd during one week. 


Ueport of worh done or under direction of, Miss Annie Tolman Smith for the iveeJc end¬ 
ing April 16. 

Monday, April 11, I received the summary of Table III and proceeded immediately 
to the study of the same and wrote out the discussion, also added to the historical por¬ 
tion matter drawn from four State reports recently received. 

Tuesday, April 12, I spent in making notes for Table I, from reports recently re¬ 
ceived. 

Wednesday, April 13, studied Table IV and wrote up the discussion. 

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 14-16, were spent in the analysis of Table 
VI, with comparative study of the same as reported in 1884-’85 and 1880, 

Dn ring the week ray assistant filled up the table of teachers’ salaries for certain 
foreign countries, under my direction. A copyist copied the statistical part of the 
foreign table of elementary instruction ; another completed the copy of historical 
matter relating to Table III (29 pages of foolscap), and copied 4 pages relating to 
statistics of elementary education in foreign countries. 

A third employe made studies relating to Tables I and III, under the following 
heads : Teachers’ institutes; number of trained teachers employed in each State; 
permanency of teachers. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied, by the employes in the statistical division of the Education Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
day a 
present 
each. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

1884 . 

19 

277 

6i 

6i 

Gi 

Gi 

• ’ » 

1885 . 

19 

271^ 

275 

188G. 

19 

1887 (tn M arrli 1) ______ 

14 

48 



The number of employes during the calendar year has varied, and no complete rec¬ 
ord of it has been kept. There have been no well-defined lines separating the diflerent 
divisions, and persons have been in one division or another at ditferent times, as the 
state of the work to be done required. 














































74 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERiOK. 

The following statement shows the maximum nnmher of days devoted to business 
by the ernployd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number ot days 
in the statistical division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specilied: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

MaximiiTn iinnilipr of flays__ i... _.... 

307 

3014 

305 

48 

IVTiiiininin da.y a 





- 




LIBRAEY AND MUSEUM DIVISION. 

Heport of the Vibrary and museum division, Education Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular oj 
J/arc/t 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the library and 
museum division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) Entering, stamping, and labeling all material intended for the library. 

(2) Distributing the material for the various sections of the libraiy. 

(3) 1. Indexing books and pamphlets. 

2. Indexing and tiling catalogues of colleges and universities. 

3. Indexing and tiling catalogues of secondary schools. 

4. Indexing and tiling catalogues of preparatory schools. 

5. Indexing and tiling catalogues of normal schools. 

6. Indexing and tiling catalogues of other institutions. 

(4) Preparing card catalogue of the contents of the library. 

(5) Making references to sitecial information for the employes of the office and for 
other investigators. 

(G) Preparing material for the bindery. 

(7) Caring for the museum. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the library and 
museum division of the Education Office, in the Department of the Interior, includ¬ 
ing one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same i>asses, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the 
action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

(1) All material intended for the library is sent direct from the chief clerk’s room. 

(2) When it reaches the library it is entered, stamped, and labeled. 

(3) The material then goes to the various sections where it is properly classified. 

1. Foreign books to one section. 

2. Educational journals to another section. 

3. State and city reports on education to another section. 

. 4. Current periodical literature to another section. 

5. College, school, and university catalogues to another section. 

(4) The material is then filed and indexed and made ready for easy reference. 

(5) All material not in bound form, or such as need binding, is prepared for the 
bindery. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period,and on hand, X)eiiding, and undisposed of at the dat^ s 
specified below, in the library and museum division of the education Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior. 

The character of the work done in this division is such that it could not be redueed 
to a tabular statement. 

From August 2, 1886, to December 13, 1886, 894 volumes were jirejiared and sent to 
the bindery; 10,000 cards preiiared for the card catalogues; 1,000 books and jiam- 
phlets indexed. 

d’o this sheet is attached a statement showing the kind and amount of work done in 
this division for one week. 

















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 75 

Aiiionnt ot work doue in library and museum division for the week ending Febru 

ary 2(), 1887. 

(1) Catalogues indexed and filed . 525 

Cards for dictionary catalogue . 120 

Cards for reference. H 

Slips addressed. 1 205 

(2) Books, pamphlets, and periodicals acknowledged, entered, and indexed.... 2d0 

(rl) Foreign letters translated. 4 

Foreign acknowledgments compared. 10 

Foreign booKs catalogued. 25 

Foreign articles indexed.. 50 


(4) Resbel ving the books in the foreign room, making shelf-lists, and labeling tiles,&,c. 

(5) Indexing the publications of the bureau. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at the 
dates specitied below, in the library and museum division of the Education Olfice, 
Department of the Interior. 

The character of the work is such that a tabular statement cannot be made (see 
preceding statement). 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and indisposed of at the dates 
specified below, in the library and museum division of the Education Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior. 

This division during the months of February and March, in addition to the regular 
routine work of the library, prepared an author, title, and subject index of the pub¬ 
lications of the Bureau. These publications consist of annual reports, special reports, 
miscellaneous publications, and circulars of information, and aggregate over 28,000 
pages. 

For statement showing the average amount and character of business performed, 
transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employ68 in the 
library and museum division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, see 
page —. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the library 
and museum division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during 
the periods specified, in the library and museum division of the Education Office, 
Deiiartment of the Interior: 

The character of the work done in this division can be seen from the sample of one 
week’s work in the following statement: 

Amount of work done in library and museum division for the week ending March 5,1887. 


(1) Catalogues indexed and filed. 1,249 

Cards for dictionary catalogue. 275 

Cards for reference. 15 

(2) Books, pamphlets, and periodicals acknowledged and entered. 443 

(3) Foreign letters translated. 0 

Foreign acknowledgments compared. 60 

Foreign books catalogued. 76 

Foreign articles indexed.- -.. 23 


(4) Reshelving the books in the foreign room, making shelf-lists, and labeling files, &c. 

(5) Indexing the publications of the Bureau. 
















































76 


THE department OP THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the number of days and the time and attention de¬ 
voted to the consideration and transaction of business during the poriodssi)ecilied, by 
the employes in the library and museum division of the Education Ollico, Dei)art- 
ment of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Aveiage 
No. of hours 
employed 
daily. 

1884 . 

4 

277 

6 i 

1885 . 

4 - 

971A 

6 i 

1886 . 

G 

21b 

1887 (to March 1). 

8 

48 





The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the cmployd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days in 
the library and museum division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

(To Mar. 1.) 

Maximum number of days. 

Minimum number of days. 

307 

30U 

305 

48 







ALASKA DIVISION. 


lleport of the Alaska division, Education Office, on the methods of business and work, as 
requested hi/ Senate Select Committee, and called for bij Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Statement showing the i^riucipal items of business transacted in the Alaska division 
of the Bureau of Education Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) Administering the fund for the education of children in Alaska, without distinc¬ 
tion of race. 

(2) Making needful provision for the education of the children of school age in 
Alaska, according to the requirements of the organic act providing for a civil govern¬ 
ment for Alaska. 

(3) The location of the schools. ’ 

(4) The lease of school buildings. 

(5) Architect’s plans for school buildings. 

(G) Arrange for the erection of school buildings. 

(7) Arrange for the repairs. 

(8) Arrange for the materials for. 

(9) Arrange for the school furniture. 

(10) Arrange for the books, charts, fuel, &c. 

(11) Provide blanks for school reports. 

(12) Receive and audit the accounts. 

(13) Receive and examine and approve vouchers. 

(14) Attend to the securing of teachers. 

(15) Examine teachers’ certificates, applications, and testimonials. 

(16) Recommend the appointment of teachers. 

(17) Receive the resignation of teachers. 

(18) Receive and examine monthly school reports. 

(19) Audit the accounts of teachers. 

C20) Provide for their prompt payment. 

(21) Conduct the correspondence with teachers. > 

(2S) Attend to all the correspondence necessitated by the Alaska schools 

(23) Take care of the Alaska files. 

(24) Keep the Commissioner of Education informed of the condition of the Alaska 
fund. 

(25) Answer inquiries and furnish information concerning the work of education in 
Alaska. 

(26) Prepare and publish a* annual report. 

































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


77 


statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the Alaska divis¬ 
ion of the Education Oflice, in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the Education Office, and then showing in con¬ 
secutive order the various steps taken by each of such j)rincipal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The monthly report for the school at-is received from-, teacher. The 

statistics are tabulated in a book kept for the purpose. 

The accompanying voucher for the salary is examined quartely, and if found correct 
is certified to with the signature of the General Agent of Education in Alaska. 

The voucher in triplicate is then sent to the Commissiotier of Education, who also 
signs his approval. The original voucher is then sent to the disbursing office of the 
Department of the Interior for payment; a Treasury check, payable to the order of 
the teacher, is mailed direct to the teacher by the disbursing office. The duplicate 
voucher is filed in the Bureau of Education and the triplicate voucher is filed, together 
with the monthly reports, with the General Agent of Education in Alaska. 

The following statement shoves the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the Alaska division of the Education Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior. 


Character of business. 


Received 
during 
calendar 
year 1885. 


Disposed of 
during 
calendar 
year 1885. 


Received 
during 
calendar 
j-ear 1886. 


Disposed of 
during 
calendar 
year 1886. 


Received 
during 
calendar 
year 1887 to 
March 1. 


Disposed of 
during 
calendar 
year 1887 to 
March 1. 


Letters received. 

Letters sent. 

Circular letters sent.. 

Public documents sent... 

Vouchers audited. 

School reports examined 

School houses rented. 

Salaries paid. 

Supplies purchased. 

Teachers’ applications 

examined. 

Teachers appointed. 

Miles traveled. 

Charter of schooner to con 
vey teachers to destina¬ 
tion and visitimportant 
centers. 


*1, 500 


132 

180 


40 


* 2 , 000 
*500 
* 20 , 000 
132 
180 
3 

$4,125 00 
$2, 932 24 

40 

10 

*10, 442 


* 2 , 000 


170 

200 


* 2,100 
*600 
*23, 000 
170 
200 
5 

$11,090 67 
t$6, 946 39 

135 

15 

*17, 500 


$4, 535 00 


*686 


45 

60 


*380 

*286 

*900 

45 

60 

4 

$3, 040 00 



25 









*Approximate. 


tAnd rent. 


Sfatement showing the .average amount and character of business xierformed, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of, during the periods specified, by the emi)loy<S8 in the Alaska 
division of the Education Office, Department of the Interior. 

The only available method of prejiaring this statement would be to take the work 
of the year and divide it by twelve, which would only be approximate amounts. 


Statement showing the number of employ6s in the Alaska division of the Education 

Office, Department of the Interior. 

The General Agent of Education in Alaska has had no clerk. 

Occasionally he has been allowed the services of one of the clerks of the Bureau of 
Education for a few hours. 

The division has had no clerk so far. 

Statement showing the average number of days and the time and attention devoted 
to the consideration and transaction of business, during the periods specified, by 
the employes in the Alaska division of the Education Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior. 

The General Agent of Education in Alaska has taken no vacation and given ten 
hours a day to his work during the six work days of each week. 























































78 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


A. 


ART EDUCATION REPORT. 

Special Report on Art Education. Education Office. On the methods of business and tvorJc, 
as requested Inj Senate Select Committee, and called for hy Department circular of March 
2^, 1887. 

B.—Statement sliowiu^ the imincipal items of business transacted in the Art Educa¬ 
tion Report of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, by Col. I. Edwards 
Clarke. 

The duties devolved upon myself as literary expert connected with the Education 
Office, on January, 1884, and previously, were the preparation of a “ Special Report 
on Education in Fine and Industrial Art,in the United States,” which had been be¬ 
fore begun, and the publication of which had been eventually ordered by the United 
States Senate, as a “ Senate Document,” known as the “ Art and Industry Report.” 
The manuscript had been withdrawn from the printer, in order to bring the material 
down to the very date of printing, under the arrangement that it was to be put in 
the printer’s hands whenever he announced readiness to begin on it. This report is 
most comprehensive in its nature, and the editor and compiler was in constant cor¬ 
respondence with many institutions, educators, and others. The preparation of this 
report, the keeping up the correspondence it has required, and the proof-reading of 
the volume issued—“Part I, Drawing in Public Schools”—a volume of over 1,100 
jiages, 400 of which are in solid brevier, with the prejiaration of a second volume, 
“Part II, Technical Drawing,” now nearly ready for the printer, and the prepara¬ 
tion of much other manuscript for other volumes, with the constant reading of reports 
and authorities relative to the institutions and to the subject-matter, have been “ the 
principal items of business” comprised in the duties assigned me in the preparation 
of this work. As this has been a special work, not affecting the regular routine work 
of the office, it has been finished when the report was issued, and the large volume 
already in print itself the best record of the amount and kind of work done. It be¬ 
longs to a kind*of intellectual work not usually classed undet the technical term 
“ business,” and which it is, from its nature, not possible to itemize and classify in ac¬ 
cordance with the forms hero furnished. I have given to this work all my time, and 
for months in 1884, ’85 and ’86, working many additional hours each day, but how 
many pages of reports, or of books and other publications, were received on a given 
day, how many letters were receiv'ed or answered, how many lines or pages of manu¬ 
script were written, was never recorded, except when I was receiving and reading the 
galleys of proof from the printer, when an accurate account of those received, read, 
and returned, was kept. Three and often four sets of proofs were read for changes 
and to insure accuracy, but when the volume was finally issued these minutes were 
destroyed as being no longer of the least use. The reception accorded to this volume 
by the press of the United States, and by the leading journals and authorities in 
Great Britain and on the Continent of Europe, was most gratifying, and the approval 
by Congress of the work, as shown in the fact that an extra edition for distribution 
by Congress, and by the Bureau of Education, was ordered shortly after the Senate 
edition appeared, furnishes the best evidence of the amount, character and value of 
the work in this “division.” 

As my only assistant has been a single copyist a part of the time, the lady doing 
whatever other work was assigned her by the Commissioner or chief clerk, as her 
services were needed on the work of other departments when not needed on my work, 
and, as all the records of attendance, &c., were kept by the chief clerk, it would bo 
impossible for me to give the details of her work, very much of which was in nowise 
under my direction or control. When there has been no copying to be done for my 
work, or when other work has been more ])ressiug, she has done such other work. 

Several thousand pages of manuscript have been x>repared for x>rint, much of it 
original matter of my own authorship, the rest condensed, compiled, or abstracted 
from correspondence and official or other publicatious, comprising also many jiao-es of 
statistics compiled from replies to questions sent out by this division. 

As this matter was entirely special, and in nowise confiicted with or depended on 
the work of other parts of the office, the Commissioner, Hon. John Eaton, did not 
think it necessary or wise to subject it to the routine of the ordinary correspondence 
and business of the office or to require books to be kex)t. 

The work was wholly in one j^erson’s hands and always with the approval and 
knowledge of the Commissioner, who was kept fully infonncd as to its progress. 

SUMMARY. 

A volume of 1100 pages—400 in solid brevier—has been prepared in manuscript 
road four times in proof, and sent out. The manuscript, comprising several thousand 
pages, for a volume of like size, has been made ready for the printer, as well as much 
mauustript for other volumes. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


71) 


Many liundied letters have been received and sent, in the correspornlence with in¬ 
stitutions and individuals, in thia country and in Europe, connected with the prex)a- 
ration of these voliiinevS. 

Besides original writing, compilation, and abstracts, a number of statistical tables, 
from returns to this office, have been x>repared. 

C. —Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the Art Edu¬ 
cation Report of the Education Office, in the Dexiartment of the Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing in 
consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such princijial bosiness mat¬ 
ters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the emjiloyds through 
whose hands the same yiasses, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is tinaily disposed of, and 
notice thereof duly given to the jiroper jiarty. 

As there are no “divisions and employds” in this room, except one copyist, and as 
there is no routine “business,’’ it is not jiossible for mo to make a reiiort such as is 
called for in statement C. 

The “work” begins and ends in this room, and only eventually ax)pears in the 
lirinted volume here xirepared, as explained in statement B. 

D. —Statement showing t he amount and character of business received, transacted, 
and dis^msed of during the xieriod, and on hand, iiending. and undisposed of at the 
dates siiecilied below, in the Art Education Rejiortof the Education Office, Dexiart- 
ment of the Interior. 

The nature of the work, as already described in statement B, renders it impossible 
to till out this statement. 

E. —Statement showing the average amount and character of business performed, 
transacted, and disposed of during the periods specitied, by the enqiloyds in the 
Art Education Report of the Education Office, Department of the Interior. 

The nature of the work, as already described in statement B, renders it imxiossible 
to till out this statement. 

F. —Statement showing the average number of emiiloyds in the Art Education Re¬ 
port of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, during the years 1884, 
1885, 1886, and tirst two mouths of i8S7. 

Two x>tirsous through all the periods named, except during the annual leave. 
Though, as before stated, not solelj^ on the work of this room, l)nt often assisting in 
the work of other rooms. 

Q,—Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted 
and disposed of by the employ6 doing the most and the employd doing the least 
during the x^eriods sxiecitied, in the Art Education Rexiort of the Education Office, 
Department of the Interior : 

As the work in this room has been sx>ecific, and as only one x>crson and one copyist 
hav’^e ever been emxiloyed on it, and as all through the time included the copyist has 
been always employed on other w. rk when not engaged in this, sometinies for many 
weeks or several months, not being needed by me owing to the nature ot the j)rexiara- 
tory work on which I was engaged, it is not possible to till out (his blank. The rea¬ 
son no such accounts were kex>t is, l)ecause owing to the nature ot such intellectual 
work they would be almost im])ossiblo to keep, and wholly useless when kept, because 
not needed to test the amount of work done, or faithfulness in doing the work, and 
so were never directed to be kejit. Of course with only one i)erson engaged on the 
work, no such comxiarisous as are called for by this blank “ G” can bo instituted. 

II,_Statement showing the average number of days and the time and attention de¬ 

voted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods sx)ecilied, 
b,y the emx)loy<Ss in the Art Education Rex^ort ot the Education Othce, Dexiaitment 
of the Interior. 

The account of attendance and absence from the office having been kept by the 
chief clerk of the bureau, and being in nowise under my supervision, I have no means 
of making these statements. I can only sa.y that in regard to myselt and cox)yi8t, we 
were never absent from duty during the3ir years in question, unless on duty elsewhere, 
or on annual leave, or, if al)sent from sickness, duly excused. I can only say for my¬ 
self, that by working after hours I have always made up any absences duo to sickness 
or otherwise. 


80 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


I.—Statemeut showing the maximum number of days devoted to business by the em- 
ploy6 T)re8ent for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum number of 
days devoted to business by the emi)loy6 present for the least number of days in the 
Art Education Report of the Education Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified. 

This is answered under statement H, as myself and my copyist were on duty all the 
time. 


COMMISSIONER OF RAILROADS. 

Report of the office of the Commissioner of Railroads on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1687. 

Department of the Interior, 

Office of Commissioner of Railroads, 

Washington, April 8, 1887. 

Sir: In reply to circular order of the Department dated March 23, 1887, directing 
answers to be made to certain inquiries from the chairman of the Senate Select Com¬ 
mittee appointed “to inquire into and examine the methods of business and work 
in the Executive Departments,” I have the honor to submit the accompanying report, 
which has been made as complete as the records of this office will admit. 

Most respectfully yours, 

J. E. JOHNSTON, 

Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, Commissioner. 

Secretary of the Interior. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the office of the 

Commissioner of Railroads, Department of the Interior. 

• 

The principal items of business of the office are to ascertain the 25 per cent, of net 
earnings duo the United States under section 4 of the act of May 7, 1878, from the 
Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroad Companies, and the 5 per cent, of net 
earnings due from the Central Branch Union Pacific, Kansas Pacific, and Sioux City 
and Pacific Railroad Comnauies under the act of July 1, 1852, as amended by the act 
of July 2, 1864. 

In order to do this it is necessary for the book-keepers to visit, at least once in each 
year, the iirincipal offices of these companies, which are located at Boston, Chicago, 
Saint Louis, Ouiaha, and San Francisco. These examinations embrace a thorough 
investigation of the earnings and expenses, assets and liabilities, expenditures for 
new construction and new equipment, and the general financial condition of the re¬ 
spective companies at the end of each calendar year. From two to three months are 
occupied in these examinations, after which the data thus obtained are tabulated 
and prepared for use in the annual report of the office. 

It is also the duty of the office to furnish information to the various Executive De¬ 
partments touching matters relating to the subsidized railroads, such as tariffs of 
rates, names of branch lines operated, tables of distances, and various other matters. 

The duties of the engineer involve a personal inspection of the physical character¬ 
istics of the various subsidized railroads coming under the operations of this Bureau, 
in order to ascertain if they are kept in a fair condition as to road-bed, track, bridges, 
and buildings, shops, equipment, &c. From two to three months are usually occu¬ 
pied in this manner, and involve many thousands of miles of travel. Upon his return 
to this office the result of such examination and inspection is embodied in his report, 
the details of which will be found jirinied as an appendix to the annual report of this 
office. The remainder of his time is occupied in compiling and drawing maps, &c., 
and various other matters of a technical character. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the office of the 
Commissioner of Railroads, in the Department of the InteHor, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginnimi- with 
the receipt of the business matter in the railroad office, and then showing in con¬ 
secutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disi^osed of, and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Upon the receipt of a communication requesting information relative to any of the 
railroads coming under the operations of this office, it is officially stamped with the 
date of receipt, and then numbered and entered , in the register of letters received. 





THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


81 


^ referred to one of the book-keepers, who gives the matter immediate 

statistics called for. After the statements are 
prepared they are o&cially transmitted to the party requesting the information and 
the d^e ot answer noted on the original communication, which is placed on the files of 
the oflice. VVith respect to resolutions of inquiry from either house of Congress the 
same course is pursued, but all matters of this character are transmitted in duplicate 
through the honorable Secretary of the Interior. A subject index is also kept of all 
communications sent out from this office. ^ 

A very large number of semi-annual and annual reports are required and received 
troin the railroad companies on the forms prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, 
ail ot which are carefully examined, and those of the bonded roads verified from the 
books ami accounts of the respective companies at their general offices located at 
lioston, Omaha, Chicago, Saint Louis, and San Francisco. As the forms cover 42 
pages, and embrace details of nearly every variety of statistics pertaining to rail¬ 
roads, a copy 18 herewith transmitted, in order to convey an idea as to the amount of 
labor involved m their examination and verification. 

The follov ing statement shows the amount and character of business received 
transacted, and disposed ot during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
ot at the dates specified below, in the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

During 
calendar 
year 1884, 

Pending 
and undis¬ 
posed of 
at close of 
the calendar 
year 1884. 

Letters received. 

747 
846 
12 
16 
39 
240 
24 
24 
3, 000 


Letters wril ten. 


Senii-annu.al renorts. form 8-002 . 


Annual reports, ibrm 8-008 . 


General ledcrer balances... 


Reports of earninirs and expenses. 


Reports of throiurli tonnajre. 


Reports of throusrb passengers. 


Annual reports of this Bureau... 

524 

— 


In addition to the above, the books and accounts of the following-named railroad 
companies were examined by the book-keeper and assistant book-keeper, the place of 
examination and number of days thus occupied being also stated: the Union Pacific 
Railroad and the Kansas Pacific Railway (now Kansas Division of the Union Pacific 
Railway Company) at the general office of the company at Boston, Mass., and the 
auditor’s office at Omaha, Nebr., occupying thirty-nine days; the Central Branch Union 
Pacific Railroad at the general office of the company at Saint Louis, Mo., occupyino’ 
three days; the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad at the auditor’s office at Cedar Rapid^ 
Iowa, occupying three days; the Central Pacific Railroad at the general office of the 
company at San Francisco, Cal., occupying forty days. 

After the roads and other properties, and the accounts of the various companies 
were examined, the entire force was occupied about three months in jireparing and 
arranging the data thus obtained, for use in the annual report of the Commissioner, 
dated November 1,1884. In compiling these data, and in the preparation of the va¬ 
rious tables of statistics, many days were necessarily spent upon statements, the 
mere copying of which would occupy but a few hours. This report embraces state¬ 
ments showing the condition of the transportation accounts with the Government, 
amounts reimbursed on account of interest, condition of the sinking funds, state¬ 
ments of the 5 and 25 per cent, of net earnings, assets and liabilities, earnings and 
expenses, and condition of the property of the Union Pacific, Central Pacific, Kansas 
Pacific, Central Branch Union Pacific, and Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Com¬ 
panies. This report also embraces statistics showing the earnings and expenses, 
assets and liabilities, and condition of the property of the following-named land- 
grant railroad companies: Southern Pacific; Northern Pacific; Oregon and Cali¬ 
fornia; Atlantic and Pacific ; Saint Louis and San Francisco; Atchison, Tojieka and 
Santa F6 : Missouri Pacific; JMissouri, Kansas and Texas ; Saint Louis, Iron Mount¬ 
ain and Southern; Texas and Pacific; Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific ; Chicago, 
Burlington and Quincy; Hannibal and Saint Joseph; Iowa .Falls and Sioux City; 
Dubuque and Sioux City; Cedar Rapids and Missouri River, and the Memphis and 
Little Rock Railroad Conqianies. 

The appendices to the report include a compilation of the laws affecting the various 
railroads which have received aid from the United States; decisions of the Supreme 

3884 INT- 0 































82 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Court affectiug the same ; Department circulars and orders ; and numerous tables of 
statistics. 

The engineer made personal inspection of the following-named railways, the dis¬ 
tance traveled and number of days occupied beiug also stated: 

Leaving Washington, D. C., July 14, lor Chicago, via Pennsylvania Railway, dis¬ 
tance 844 miles; time required upon train and in Chicago two days; thence upon 
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway, SOB miles to Burlington, Iowa, and upon 
the Burlington aud Missouri River Railway lines in Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado, 819 
miles, to Denver, devoting four days to the inspection of these lines. One day wuis 
devoted to examination of the Union Pacitic Branch line from Denver, Col., to Silver 
Plume and return, distance 112 miles. Then inspected the Kansas Division of Union 
Pacific, from Denver to Kansas City, the distance traveled being (139 miles, requiring 
two days’ time. Thence to Atchison over the Missouri Pacific Railway, 47 miles, and 
examining the Central Branch Union Pacific Railway to Waterville, Kansas, 100 miles, 
going to Greenleaf, 13 miles, then returning to Kansas City, making 113 miles more, 
occupying one day. The Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railway between Atchison, 
Saint Joseph, and Hannibal, 227 miles, was examined next, requiring one day. From 
Hannibal to Saint Louis, over the Saint Louis, Keokuk aud Northwestern Railway, 
111 miles, occupied about one-half day. In Saint Louis over three days were spent 
at the office of Missouri Pacitic aud the Saint Louis aud San Francisco Railways, ob¬ 
taining information needed for the annual report. Leaving Saint Louis July 29, in¬ 
spection was made of portions of the Saint Louis and San Francisco aud of the Atlantic 
and Pacific Railways, extending from Saint Louis to Red Fork, Ind. Ter., 428 miles, re¬ 
turning to Peirce Junction and Newton, 386, miles, required two days’ time. Returned 
from Newton to Kansas City over the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in the 
night, a distance of 201 miles. Went to Omaha upon Missouri Pacific Railway, 213 
miles, requiring nearly one day. Remained at Omaha one day, then examined the 
Sioux City and Pacific Railway between Missouri Valley, Blair, and Sioux City, tak¬ 
ing one day, and returning to Omaha in the evening ; distance traveled was214 miles. 
In Omaha one day examining the shops and equipment of the Union Pacitic Railway, 
then inspected the main line between Omaha aud Ogden, in a little more than twm 
days; distance traveled, 1,0.32 miles. Examined the buildings, sidings, &c., <at Ogden, 
then went to Salt Lake via Utah Central Railway, returning to Ogden, distance 122 
miles; time employed, nearly two days. Union Pacitic Railway from Ogden to Chey¬ 
enne, thence to Denver, was jiassed over next, the distance beiug 623 miles, 106 miles 
of which, between Cheyenne and Denver, was inspected ; time employed, one day. Re¬ 
mained at Denver one day examining the buildings and equipment belonging to the 
Union Pacitic Railway; the next day inspected the branch line to Central City and 
Graymouut, traveling 120 miles. Examined the Denver, South Park aud Pacitic Di¬ 
vision of Union Pacitic Railway, going as far as Buena Vista, 137 miles, returning to 
Denver upon the Denver aud Rio Grande Railway, 242 miles, taking about two days’ 
time. 

August 14, left Denver to complete the examination of the Kansas Divison. The trip 
extended to Kansas City, 639 miles, and occupied two days’ time. Returned to Omaha 
via Missouri Pacific Railway, traveling 213 miles, requiring nearly one day. At Omaha 
oneday, then left for Ogden upon Union Pacific Railway; time, twodays; distance, 1,032 
miles. From Ogden to San Francisco, traveling upon the Central Pacific Railway; 
time employed was two days, the distance being 895 miles. Remained in San Fran¬ 
cisco six days, obtaining notes relating to Central and Southern Pacific Railways. 
Then inspected the Southern Pacific Railway, Northern Division, as far as Tres Pinos 
and Santa Cruz, requiring 291 miles travel and two days’ time. Two days’ time aud 
567 miles travel were required for the inspection of the Ogden Division, Central Pa¬ 
cific Railway, aud the line from San Francisco to Sacramento via Niles aud Tracy. 
The main line between Sacramento and Ogden, 744 miles, was then inspected; time 
employed, four days. The Utah and Northern Division of the Union Pacific from Og¬ 
den to Garrison, including branch from Silver Bow to Butte, a distance of 468 miles, 
was next inspected ; time employed, two days. 

From Garrison the Northern Pacitic Railway was examined as far as Cinnabar, 225 
miles, returning from thence upon same railway to Livingston and Saint Paul, dis¬ 
tance beiug 1,083 miles; the time employed, including all stoppages, was nearly ten 
days. Between Saint Paul aud Omaha, upon Chicago, Saint Paul, Minneapolis 
aud Omaha Railwmy, the distance traveled wms 370 miles ; time used, one day. Re¬ 
mained in Omaha part of a day, then proceeded via the Chicago, Burlington and 
Quincy Railway to Chicago, the distance beiug 508 miles; time consumed upon the 
trip and in Chicago, a little over two days. 

Returned to Washington via Lake Shore aud Pennsylvania Railways, distance, Chi¬ 
cago to Washington, being 883 miles, .arriving in Washington September 24, haying 
been engaged upon the trip seventy-two days, aud traveled 14,868 njiles, 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


83 


The following stiiteinent shows the ainoiiiit and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period and on hand, pending and undisposed of at 
the dates specilied below, in the office of the Commissioner of Railroads, Department 
of the Interior; 


Character of business. 

During 
calendar 
year 1885. 

Pending 
and undis¬ 
posed of 
at close of 
the calendar 
year 1885. 

Letters received . 

717 
763 
10 
15 
38 
240 
24 
24 
2, 500 


I.etters written. 


Semi-annual reports (form 8-002)... 


Annual i'e})orts (form 8-008). 


General ledger balances... 


Ileports of earnings and expenses. 


lieports of through tonnage.. .... .. 


llepnrts of Ihrntiph passen.fer.s.... 


Annual reports of this Bureau. . . 

740 



In addition to the above, the books and accounts of the following-named railroad 
companies were examined: Those of the Union Pacific Railway (including the Kansas 
Pacific) at the company’s general office at Boston, Mass., by the book-keeper and assist¬ 
ant book-keeper, occupying fourteen days. The book-keeper and clerk were also occu¬ 
pied sixteen days at the auditor’s office in Omaha examining the books of this com- 
])any. They also examined the books of the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad 
at Saint Louis, Mo., occupying four days; the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad at 
Chicago, occupying three days, and the Central Pacific Railroad at San Francisco, 
occupying thirty-four days. The assistant book-keeper was also detailed for a i)eriod 
of thirty-three days to take charge of and arrange the exhibit of this office at the 
World’s Industriai and Cotton Centennial Exposition held at New Orleans, La. 

After the roads and other properties and the accounts of the various companies were 
examined, the book-keeper and assistant book-keeper and clerk -were occupied about 
three months in preparing the accounts of the bonded companies to be included in the 
annual report of the Commissioner, dated October 27, 1885. In compiling these data 
and in the preparation of the various tables of statistics many days were necessarily 
spent upon statements, the mere copying of which would occupy but a few hours. 

This report coutaiued statements showing amounts reimbursed the Government on 
account of interest; condition of the sinking funds; statement of the 5 and 25 per 
cent, of net earnings; assets and liabilities ; earnings and expenses ; condition of the 
l)roperty, &c., of the Union Pacific, including the Kansas Pacific, the Central Pacific, 
the Central Branch Union Pacific, and the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Com¬ 
panies. It also embraced statistics showing the assets and liabilities, earnings and 
expenses, condition of the property, &c., of the following-named railroad companies: 
Southern Pacific; Northern Pacific; Oregon and California; Atlantic and Pacific; 
Saint Louis and San Francisco; Atchison, Tox)eka and Santa F6; Missouri Pacific; 
Missouri, Kansas and Texas; Saint Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern ; Texas and 
Pacific; Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific; Chicago, Burlington and Quincy; Han¬ 
nibal and Saint Joseph; Iowa Falls and Sioux City; Cedar Rapids and Missouri 
River; Memphis and Little Rock; Dubuque and Sioux City, and the Saint Paul and 
Duluth Railroad Companies. 

The inspection trip by the engineer of the subsidized railways was commenced July 
C, completed August 17, requiring forty-two days’ time and 8,638 miles travel, as 
shown bv the following details: ^ ^ 

From Washington to Chicago, passing over the Pennsylvania and the Lake Shore 
roads, distance being 883 miles, requiring nearly two days’ time; stopped in Chicago 
but a few hours; went thence to Saint Louis, via Chicago and Alton Railway, dis¬ 
tance 283 miles, and time required about one day. Remained in Saint Louis three 
days getting information for use in annual report; then Avent to Kansas City, over 
the Missouri Pacific Railway, distance 283 miles, requiring for the trip about two 
days’ time. Thence to Atchison, upon the Missouri Pacific Railway, and to Green- 
leaf, upon the Central Branch Union Pacific Railway, returning to Kansas City the 
same day traveling 200 miles upon the latter and 120 upon the former railway. In 
Kan^asCity oneday, making arrangements for the trip to Albuquerque. From Kansas 
City to Albuquerque, over tiie Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the distance, 
inciudin*-- Hot Springs Branch, is 030 miles, but owing to washout and other delays 
five day>? time was consumed in the insjiection. The Atlantic and Pacific Railway 





























84 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


(Western Division) was inspected between Albuquerque and Mojave ; time required^ 
three days, the distance, 815 miles. Partial inspection was made of the Southern 
Pacific Railway between Mojave and San Francisco, the distance traveled being 882 
milfvs, and one day’s time devoted to it. Three days were employed in San Francisco 
obtaining notes from the railway oflices for use in annual report. 

The Oregon division of the Central Pacific Railway was next inspected, passing 
from San Francisco to Roseville over the subsidized line, then from Roseville to Delta, 
359 miles’ travel being required and two days’ time. To reach Ashland, Oreg., the 
present terminus of the Oregon and California Railway, required a stage ride of nearly 
two days’ time and about 125 miles of distance. The examination of the Oregon and 
California Railway was made in one day, the distance between Ashland and Portland 
being 341 miles. Remained in Portland one day and then y)as8ed over the Oregon Rail¬ 
way and Navigation Company’s lines, via Umatilla, to Huntington, Oreg, a distance 
of 404 miles, in about one day’s time. 

August 2 left Huntington to inspect the Oregon Short Line Branch of Union Pacific 
Railway; distance traveled, including the branch between Shoshone and Ketchum, 
was G78 miles, time required to reach Granger being two days. The inspection be¬ 
tween Granger and Cheyenne, thence to Denver, including part of a day in Denver, 
occupied two days, the distance being 468 miles. From Denver to Kansas City two 
days were spent upon the inspection and examination of this part of the Union Pacific 
Railway, the length of the division being 639 miles. From Kansas City rode over the 
Missouri Pacific Railway to Omaha, 213 miles, requiring for this and time employed 
at Omaha nearly three days. Passed over the Chicago and Northwestern Railway 
from Omaha to Chicago, distance 492 miles, requiriug one day’s time. Over two days 
were used at Chicago offices of Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railway and branch 
lines in vicinity of Chicago, involving 140 miles’ travel. Returned to Washington via 
Lake Shore and Pennsylvania Railways, distance traveled being 883 miles, and time 
used being about two days. 

The Commissioner personally inspected the road-bed, track, shops, bridges, build¬ 
ings, and appurtenances of- the following-named railroads : Those of the Sioux City 
and Pacific Railroad from Sioux City to Fremont, Nebr.; the main line of the Union 
Pacific Railway from Omaha, Nebr., to Ogden, Utah; the main line of the Central 
Pacific Railroad from Ogden, Utah, to San Francisco, Cal., via Port Costa ; also that 
portion of the road between Oakland and Sacramento, formerly the Western Pacific, 
and the Oregon Division of said road from Rosfville Junction to Delta, the Southern 
Pacific Railroad, Northern Division, from San Francisco to Soledad, and the Oregon 
and California Railroad from Ashland, Oreg., to Portland, Oreg. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of 
at the dates specified below in the office of the Commissioner of Railroads, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

During 
calendar 
year 1886. 

Pending 
and undis¬ 
posed of 
at close of 
the calendar 
year 1886. 

Letters received. 

667 

604 

33 

22 

29 

225 

24 

24 

2 , 000 


Letters written. 


Semi-annual reports (form 8-002). 


Annual reports' (form 8-008). 


General leJlger balances. 


Ivoports of earnings and expenses. 


Keports of through tonnage. 


Keports of through passengers. 


Annual reportsof this bureau. 

500 


In addition to the above the books and accounts of the following-named companies 
were examined : Tlie Union Pacific Railway (including the Kansas Pacific) at the 
company’s general office at Boston, INIass., by the book-keeper and clerk, oc(*upying 
sixteen days. The clerk, with the assistance of a gentleman temporarily detailed to 
serve this office, was also engaged for a period of eighty-five days in tl)e examination 
of the books and accounts of this company at the Boston and Omaha ofiices, wilh 
particular reference to ascertaining in detail the amounts allowed by the Union Pa¬ 
cific Railway to its branch lines on account of constructive mileage^ this examina¬ 
tion resulting in nearly three hundred large sheets of tabulated "statistics, and en¬ 
abling the office to estimate the ditlereuce Which such allowances would make in the 





























The department oe the interioii. 


85 


amount of net earnings each year. ^ The hooks and accounts of the Central Pacific 
Railroad^were examined by the assistant book-keeper at the company’s general office 
at San trancisco, Cal. The main line of the road from San Francisco to Ogden, 
Utah, and that portion of the Union Pacific Railway between Ogden aiid Cheyenne 
was also inspected by him, the total time occupied in these various duties being fifty 
days, rile accounts of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad were examined in Chicago, 
occupying three days, and of the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad at Saint 
Louis, Mo., occupying two days. 

Alter the roads and other properties and the accounts of the various companies 
were examined, the book-keeper, assistant book keeper, and clerk were occupied nearly 
three (3) months in preparing and arranging the data thus obtained for use in the 
annual repojrt of the Commissioner, dated October SiS, 1886. In compiling these data 
and in the preparation of the various tables of statistics many days were employed. 

This report embraces statements showing the amount reimbursed the Government 
on account of interest; condition of the sinking funds; statements of the 5 and 25 
percent, of net earnings; amounts produced under existing laws, and the interest 
paid by the United States on account of the subsidy bonds; assets and liabilities, 
earnings and expenses, and condition of the property of the Uuion Pacific (including 
Kansas Pacific), the Central Pacific, the Sioux City and Pacific, and the Central 
Branch Union Pacific Railroad Companies. The annual report also embraces statistics 
showing the earnings and expenses, assets and liabilities, and couditiou of the prop¬ 
erty ot the following-named companies: Northern Pacific Railroad, Oregon and Cali¬ 
fornia Railroad, Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad, Chicago and Northwestern Rail- 
way, Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 
Railroad, Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad, Io\va Falls and Sioux City Railroad, 
Saint Joseph and Grand Island Railroad, Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad, Mis¬ 
souri Pacific Railway, Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, Saint Louis, Iron Mount¬ 
ain and Southern Railway, Saint Louis and San Francisco Railway, Memphis and 
Little Rock Railroad, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, Atlantic and Pacific 
Railroad, and the Southern Pacific Railroad. 

The inspection by the engineer was commenced August 5 and completed October 
8, the distance traveled being 12,573 miles, as shown in the following description: 

Leaving Washington, via Pennsylvania Railway, August 5, traveled 844 miles to 
Chicago, using for the trip and in Chicago two days’ time. Thence to Omaha. In¬ 
spection was made of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy and Burlington and Mis¬ 
souri River Railway lines, time used being about one day, the distance traveled be¬ 
ing upon the former line 206 and upon the latter 302 miles. Remained in Omaha one' 
day to obtain notes from Union Pacific office, then inspected that portion of the Bur¬ 
lington and Missouri River Railway between Omaha, Hastings and Kearney, which 
was done in one day’s time, the distance traveled being 242 miles. Next inspected 
the Saint Joseph and Grand Island Railway between Hastings and Saint Joseph, a^ 
distance of 227 miles, which, with the examination of the station buildings, consumed 
about two days. Went from Saint Joseph to Kansas City upon the Missouri Pacific 
Railway, traveling 68 miles, requiring, with stoppage at Kansas City, one day. The 
inspection of that part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 between Kansas City, 
Topeka, and Lawrence required nearly one day, involving 92 miles’ travel. The 
Southern Kansas Railway was next inspected from Lawrence to Coffeeville and re¬ 
turning to Kansas City, which, including the extension southward from Coffeeville 
nearly to Indian Territory line, made 317 miles traveled, using two days’ time. The 
trip from Kansas City to Saint Louis, 283 miles over the Missouri Pacific Railway and 
stop in Saint Louis to obtain information from Saint Louis and San Francisco Rail¬ 
way office, required two days’ time. The inspection of the Saint Louis and San 
Francisco Railway required two days, the trip covering 516 miles, from Saint Louis 
to Sapulpa and return to Vinita. The portion of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
Railway between Vinita and Junction City, which was inspected, covers a distance 
of 209 miles, using one day’s time. 

Between Junction City and Topeka the trip was made over the Kansas division of 
the Union Pacific Railway; the distance is 72 miles; time used, including the neces¬ 
sary stop at Topeka, was one day. The next inspection was made upon the main 
line of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6, extending from Topeka to El Paso and to 
Doming, a total distance of 1,452 miles, which occupied five days. The inspection of 
the Southern Pacific Railway and branches between Deming and San Francisco re¬ 
quired 1,260 miles’ travel, which, with delays caused by washouts, consumed seven 
days’ time. The time spent in San Francisco procuring items for use in annual report 
was about three days. The examination of the Northern division of the Southern 
Pacific Railway covered the direct line from San Francisco to Tres Pinos, returning 
to Gilroy and thence to San Miguel upon the new extension, a total distance of 414 
miles, requiring two days’ time for that and the return to San Francisco. The usual 
inspection of the Central Pacific Railway required atrip from San Francisco to Duns- 
Biuir and return to Sacramento, making 561 miles’ travel, requiring two days’ time } 


86 THE department OP THE INTERIOR. 

also a trip from Sacramento to Ogden, 744 miles, occupying three days^ additional 
time. ^ . 

From Ogden the trip over the Oregon Short Line division of the Union Pacific Rail¬ 
way to Huntington, 481 miles, was made in one day, no special examination of that 
line being required. The Oregon Railway and Navigation Company’s line was used 
from Huntington to Wallula Junction in order to reach the Northern Pacific Rail¬ 
way ; number of miles traveled upon this was 217, requiring one day’s time. From 
Wallula Junction to Pasco and Ellensburg and return the examination required two 
days’ time. Upon thisportion of the Northern Pacific Railway distance traveled 288 
miles, of which 254 were upon the Cascade Branch, between Pasco and Ellensburg, 
and 34 miles upon the main line. Oue day’s time was spent at Pasco and traveling 
over the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company’s road to Portland ; distance from 
Wallula Junction being 214 miles. Seven days were spent in Portland in obtaining 
notes and inforjuatiou relative to the Oregon and California and the Cascade division 
of the Northern Pacific Railway. The Pacific and the western part of the Cascade 
division of the Northern Pacific Railway between Portland, Tacoma, and Carbonado 
were inspected next, the time being two days; distance traveled 358 miles. 

Returning by the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company’s road from Portland 
to Wallula Junction, 214 miles, which required oue day’s time, the inspection of the 
main line of the Northern Pacific Railway was resumed. This required six days’ 
time and 1,699 miles’ travel ; nearly a day’s time was sjient in Saint Paul; thence to 
Chicago over the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railway, 410 miles, required 
another day, and passing over the Lake Shore and the Pennsylvania Railway lines to 
Washington, 883 miles, a little more than one day was used. 

The Commissioner personally inspected the road-bed, track, shops, bridges, build¬ 
ings, and appurtenances of the following-named railroads; Those of the Sioux City 
and Pacific Railroad from Sioux City to Missouri Valley Junction, Iowa; the main 
line of the Union Pacific Railway from Omaha, Nebr., to Cheyenne, Wyo., the 
Cheyenne division of said road from Cheyenne to Denver, Colo., and the Kansas divis¬ 
ion from Denver, Colo., to Kansas City, Mo.; also the Central Branch Union Pacific 
Railroad from Atchison to Waterville, Kans. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the office of the Commissioner of Railroads, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Character of biisineas. 

Pending 
on Jan. 1, 
1887. 

During 
calendar 
year, 1887. 

Pending 
and undis¬ 
posed of on 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Letters received..... 


112 


Letters written.... 



Semi-annual reports, Form 8-002..... 


2 


Annual reports, Form 8-008... 


3 


Reports of earnings and expenses. 


19 


Annual reports of this Bureau..... 

500 

450 




The amounts to be carried to the credit of the sinking funds of the Union Pacific 
and Central Pacific Railroad Companies on the first day of February, as required 
by section 4 of the act of May 7, 1878, have not been ascertained for the year 1886, 
owing to the fact that the books of these companies are not closed until about the 
first day of April in each year, and it is impossible to make these examinations and 
ascertain the precise amount of net earnings subject to the 25 per cent, until all of 
the entries have been made and the books balanced and closed. For similar reasons 
the semi-annual and annual reports, on Forms 8-002 and 8-008, for the yea r 1886, have 
not yet been submitted by the various railroad comj)anies reporting to this office. 

Statement showing the average amount and character of business performed, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of, during the periods specified, by the employes in the office of 
the Commissioner of Railroads, Department of the Interior. 

Owing to the technical character of the work of this Bureau it was impracticable 
to keep a record of the busines performed, transacted, and disposed of by the em¬ 
ployes during the periods covered by the inquiry. 




















THE DEPARTMENT OF TITE INTERIOR. 87 

Hie followiiig statement shows the average number of employ(^s in the office of the 
Commissioner of Railroads, Department ot the Interior, during the periods specified : 



Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least, during 
the periods specified, in the office of the Commissioner of Railroads, Department 
of the Interior. 

Owing to the varied and technical character of the work of this Bureau, it was im¬ 
practicable to keep a record of the business transacted and disposed of by the em¬ 
ployes. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, during the periods 
specified, by the employes in. the office of the Commissioner of Railroads, Department 
of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

o ® 

ks 

u o 

B 

Average number 
of days present. 

Average number 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

1884. 

6 

290 

7 

1885 . 

6 

280 

7 

1886 . 

6 

275 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

*5 

38 

7 





*One vacancy. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employe present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employe present for the least number of days 
in the office of the Commissioner of Railroads, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified: 


• 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

(To Mar. 1). 

XTavimTim Tmmher of days_____......... 

307 

299 

303 

48 

Minimnin onTtiher of days______........... 

278 

276 

277 

24 



\_Note'by Committee: In addition to the foregoing matter there were 41 more sheets 
containing numerous items under each title or subject of the index which are not 
considered sufficiently valuable to have printed herein.] 





























































88 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. 


DErAllTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 

Officp: of Indian Affairs, 

Washington, Jane 18,1887. 


The honorable the Secretary of the Interior : 


Sir : Referring to Department circular of March 28, and letter of April 2,1887,1 have 
the honor to submit herewith a report of the business transacted in the tiuance, ac¬ 
counts, land, education, and hies divisions of this office, as required by the Senate 
Select Committee ; also a statement as to work performed by clerk in charge of In¬ 
dian tradership matters. 

Very respectfully, J. D. C. ATKINS, 

Commissioner. 


ACCOUNTS DIVISION. 


Report of the accounts division, Indian Office, on the methods of business and worJc, as re¬ 
quested by Senate Select Committee, and called, for by Deparinient circular of March 23, 

1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the accounts divis¬ 
ion of the Indian Office. 

The work of the accounts division is miscellaneous in character, and, strictly speak¬ 
ing, the name is a misnomer. The principal item of work, however, and that from 
which the name of the division is derived, is the examination of the accounts of In¬ 
dian agents, inspectors, special agents, superintendents of Indian schools, and other 
disbursing agents of the Indian service. The responsibility growinji out of this work 
is not inconsiderable. Almost the entire annual appropriation of over $5,000,000 is 
placed in the hands of the various agents, inspectors, and other officers, either in cash 
remitted to them for disbursement, or in jiroiierty purchased under contract, or other¬ 
wise, and committed to them for issue or expenditure, and it is the duty of this divis - 
ion to see that this large amount is paid out, issued, expended, and properly disposed 
of in accordance with law and regulations. 

The service at the several Indian agencies requires, for its proper dispatch, that 
various employes, such as physicians, clerks, fiirmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, engin¬ 
eers, herders, millers, sawyers, &c., shall be employed to properly conduct the neces¬ 
sary business and instruct the Indians in the ways of civilized life. Then, again, po¬ 
licemen are required to preserve order, prevent the introduction of liquor outlie vari¬ 
ous reservations, remove intruders, and assist the agent in very many ways to keep 
in proper control the Indians under his charge. Interpreters are needed as a medium 
of communication between agent and employds- and the Indians, and to certil^^, as 
provided by law, to issues and payments to Indians. Additional farmers are required 
to go among the Indians as they may be scattered on the several reservations and 
personally instruct them in the use of agricultural implements, how to break up their 
land, how to plant their seed, &c. 

It is the duty of this division to apportion the employes to the several agencies. In 
the case of agency employes, to take into consideration the appropriations available, 
the limit provided by law as to the amount allowed for white employes; the pro¬ 
vision of law as to the preference to be given to Indians when competent, and in the 
case of Indian police, interpreters, and additional farmers, the amount of the special 
appropriarious, and the demands and necessitiesof the several agencies must be care¬ 
fully considered, so that the employes to be allowed shall, as far as possible, be as¬ 
signed to the most necessitous agencies. 

It is the duty of this division to forward with proper instructions the blanks nec¬ 
essary for the preparation of all bonds of agents, inspectors, special agents, and other 
disbursing agents, and upon their return of such bonds to examine them and enter 
them, when approved, in record books prepared for the purpose. 

Without entering further into detail, it will be sufficient to say that the various 
most important kinds of work performed by this division are brieliy as follows : 

(1) Examination of accounts. 

(2) Charging up disbursements by book-keeper. 

(3) Acting on explanations to exceptions to accounts. 

(4) Carrying back to appropriations unexpended balances. 

(5) Open-market exigency purchases. 

(6) Supervision of collection and expenditure of miscellaneous receipts. 

(7) Sales of condemned Government property. 

(8) Authorizing boards of survey on unserviceable public propertv and acting on 

findings of same. x i .r » 

(9) Supervising cutting of dead and down timber by Indians and sale of same. 

(10) Recording weekly and monthly statements of public funds in hands of agents. 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


89 


(11) Recording statements of indebtedness. 

(12) Charging on property book all property consigned to agents. 

(13) Supervision of annuity payments. 

(14) Deciding on applications of claimants for back annuities. 

(15) Record of all agency employds and changes therein. 

(16) Governing appointments and removals of agency employds. 

(17) Appointment of agents. 

(18) Bonding of agents. 

(19) Recording agent’s bonds. 

(20) Instructions to new agents. 

(21) Instructions to outgoing agents. 

(22) Instructions to physicians, clerks, and farmers newly'^ appointed to agencies. 

(23) Leaves of absence for agents and agency employes. 

(24) Consideration of charges against agents. 

(25) Consideration of charges against agency employds. 

(26) (Jousidering and settling disputes between agents and employds. 

^ (^7') Considering and settling disputes between tribes or bands of Indians or between 
individual Indians where funds are involved. 

(28) Considering, recording, and acting on inspector’s reports. 

(^9) Considering, recording, and acting on special agent’s reports. 

(«*0) Grants specific authority'^ to agents in the issue of wagons, harness, and the 
larger and more costly agricultural implements and cattle. 

(31) Obtaining authority to modify majinor of issuing subsistence to Indians. 

(^i^) Obtaining authority^ for agents to submit their accounts v ithout affidavits. 

(33) Instructing as to care and management of cattle herds at agencies. 

(34) Recording monthly reports of sanitary statistics from agencies. 

(35) Sending weekly report of balances in hands of disbursing agents to Treasury. 

(36) Advising Treasury of receipt of agent’s accounts and disbiu’sements and bal¬ 
ances of cash on hand shown thereby. 

(37) Annual census of Indians. 

(38) Special census of certain tribes and bauds. 

(39) Transfer of property from one agency to another, 

(40) Sale of property not needed at agencies and application of proceeds to benefit 
of Indians. 

(41) Consolidation of agencies. 

(42) Changes in agency headquarters. 

(43) Register of letters received. 

(44) Register of accounts received. 

(45) Copying in permanent record of letters sent and reports to Department. 

(46) Preparation of following-named statistical tables for Commissioner’s annual 
reports: Table showing population, civilization, allotments, houses, &c., on all Indian 
reservations. 

(47) Table showing lauds cultivated and crops raised and stock owned by Indians. 

(48) Medical statistics of Indians, showing sick, wounded, &c., during the year. 

(49) Statement of disbursements of appropriations during year. 

(50) Statement of salaries and incidental expenses at agencies during year. 

(51) Reports in reply to Congressional inquiries touching business before it. 

(52) Copying mail for signature. 

(53) Copying miscellaneous papers. 

(54) Completion and preparation for printer of book of regulations of Indian De¬ 
partment. 

(55) Completion and preparation for the printer of lists of agencins and Indian 
schools, agents and school superintendents, their post-office and telegraphic ad¬ 
dresses; also of chiefs of divisions, inspectors, special agents, and members of the 
Board of Indian Commissioners, and periodical revision of the same. 

(56) Verbal instruction of new agents, special agents, agency clerks, and physicians. 

Statement showiugin detail the methods of transacting business in the accounts divis¬ 
ion of the Indian Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the Indian Office, and then showing in consecu¬ 
tive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate division of said office, and the employds through whose 
hands the same glasses, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the ac¬ 
tion thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

EXAMINATION OF ACCOUNTS. 

All agents, special agents, inspectors, school superintendents and disbursing of¬ 
ficers of’ every kind are reauired to render an account, each quarter, of all the cash 
and property remaining on hand, received, disbursed, issued or otherwise disposed of 


90 


TiTE DEPARTMENT OF TIlE INTERIOR. 


(Iniiiig such (jiiarter. Such accounts must he rendered in duplicate and forwarded to 
the Indian office within thirty days after the ex])iration of the quarter for which the 
account is rendered. When such duplicate account is received in the Indian Office it 
is markcid by the Assistant Commissioner with the letter A, indicating that it is to be 
considered by the accounts division. It then is sent to the files division, where the 
letter of transmittal is stamped with an office number and the date of its receipt and 
a brief made of its contents. The package is then opened and each paper contained 
therein is stamped with the same number as the letter of transmittal, so that it can 
at any time and in any place be identified. From the files division the account is 
passed to the desk of the chief of the accounts division, who marks upon the letter of 
transmittal the name of the clerk in charge of the division files, and it is then sent 
to the division register, where the number and date of the letter, the name of the 
writer, the name of the clerk to whom referred and the date of such reference, are 
entered in a book kept for that purpose callea the subregister, and a letter is written 
to the agent acknowledging the receipt of the account, describing it, and one to the 
Second Auditor of the Treasury, notifying him of the receipt of the account by Indian 
Office. An entry is also made in the index of accounts, showing the agency, the name 
of the agent, the quarter for which the account was rendered, whether it is only cash 
or j)roperty, or both, the date of its receipt in the office and the date of the acknowl¬ 
edgment to the agent and notice to the Second Auditor. The following action is then 

noted on the book of the letter of transmittal: “ Acknowledged-, 1887,” after 

which the account is passed to the division files, and when received by the clerk in 
charge thereof, a statement of the account-current belonging in such account is sent 
to the Second Comptroller of the Treasury, after which the package is carefully ex¬ 
amined to ascertain if any abstracts or vouchers are missing ; if so, the agent is im¬ 
mediately notified by letter of such fact, enumerating the missing papers, and in¬ 
structing him to forward the same at once. The cash accounts then are sent to the 
book-keeper of the accounts division, who credits the agent with all disbursements 
and deposits to the credit of the United States, made during the quarter, and returns 
the account to the division files. A list of the unexamined accounts is furnished by 
the file clerk to the chief of the accounts division, who assigns the accounts to the 
various clerks in the division, for examination. 

When a clerk is ordered to examine an account, he is furnished with both original 
and duplicate copies of the account, also the duplicate account for the preceding 
quarter, for reference and comparison. The quarterly account being in fact composed 
of tw'o accounts, cash and property, the cash is examined first. The cash account 
comprises the account current, the abstract of disbursements, the various vouchers 
representing the expenditures of money made during the quarter, and the report of 
employes. The following synopsis wall show the method of examination and the 
order in which the various portions of the account are considered. 

ACCOUNT- CURRENT. 

(1) See that the balance remaining on hand at close of preceding quarter, as shown 
by the duplicate account-current for such quarter, is properly brought forward. 

(2) See that all remittances to the agent during the quarter (if made in time to reach 
the agent before the end of the quarter) are taken up. This information is obtained 
from the tabular statement of remittances in the finance division. 

(8) See that all moneys received from miscellaneous sources, as shown by transcript 
of agent’s cash-book, accompanying the accounts, are properly taken up. 

(4) See that all moneys arising from sale of subsistence to employes, as shown by 
abstract “ E,” property account, are properly taken up. 

(5) See that the account-current bears the affidavit of the agent that said account- 
current embraces all the funds denominated “ miscellaneous receipts,” comino-into 
his hands during the period for w hich it is rendered. If the agent certifies to the ac¬ 
count-current instead of swearing to it, see that he has had proper authority from 
the Secretary of the Interior for so doing. 

(C) If agent swxars to the account-current before any officer other than a clerk or 
judge of a court of record, see that a certificate of such judge or clerk is attached 
sliow'ing the official character of the officer before whom the affidavit was made ami 
that he w’as legally authorized to administer such oath. ’ 

(7) Where such certificate of ofiicial character is furnished, see that it is properly 
noted in the book kept for that purpose, for future reference and the benefit of other 
examiners. 

REPORT OP EMPLOYES. 

(1) See that the names, periods of service, and compensations of employes appear¬ 
ing on such report agree in every particular with the record of employes'authorized 
(vide article on employes). 



TltE MPARtMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


91 . 


(2) See that a^ent swears to the report, or, iu the event of his certifying, see that 
he has proper authority for so doing, and that such affidavit or certificate conforms to 
th(5 requirements of section 245, Regulations Indian Department, 18d4. 

(il) It irregular service has been approved on the record of employds in bulk ex¬ 
amine the agents’ reports of approved irregular employds, to be obtained from divis¬ 
ion tiles (vide article irregular employds), to see that the quarterly report under ex¬ 
amination agrees fully with such approved irregular reports. 

(4) It school employds appear upon the report under examination, go to ‘^Educa¬ 
tion,” and compare it with the record of school employds kept there. 

(5) It the report of emj)loyds is correct iu every particular the following certificate, 
marked with his initials, is written by the examiner on the report, to be signed by 
the chief of the accounts division. 

Department of the Interior, Office of Indian Affairs, 

-, 188-. 

Examined, compared with the record of employds authorized by this office, and found 
correct. 


Chief Accounts Division. 

(Examiner’s initials.) 

(G) If any inaccuracies apj)ear in tiie report, insert after the word “correct” the 
words “ except as to,” and then mention the discrepancies. 

VOUCHERS. 

The vouchers accompanying a cash account are numbered consecutively from one 
each quarter, such numbering being done by the agent without any special reference 
to the character of expenditure represented by the voucher, but for convenience of 
description and clearness of statement in describing the process of examination it 
may be said that nearly all the vouchers ordinarily appearing in an account can be 
distributed into the following classes : Open-market purchases, purchases under con¬ 
tract, traveling expenses of agents and employds, transportation of supplies, receipt 
rolls, annuity rolls, and the method of examining a voucher of each class will be given 
as briefly as is possible, compatible with clearness and accuracy. 

Ojien-market purchases. 

(1) See if agent had authority from Secretary of the Interior to make purchase and 
whether copy of such authority is attached to the voucher. 

(2) If authority given to make purchase gives the specific items and prices to bo 
paid, see that the voucher conforms thereto in every particular. 

(3) If the authority granted does not specify items or iirices, but refers to an esti¬ 
mate submitted by agent, go to the files division, look in the index under the i)roper 
agency and the heading “ estimates,” to find the file number of the paper. By re¬ 
ferring to the files record ascertain whether the paper has been finally disposed of or 
still remains in the finance division to which it was originally referred. If in the 
files it can be easily found iu the file-box where it belongs. If it has not yet been 
sent to the files division, go to the finance division register, find the proper number 
and ascertain the name of the clerk to whom the same was referred and apply to him 
for permission to inspect the paper. If taken either from files division or the desk 
of another clerk, to the examiner’s desk, a slip bearing the file number of the paper 
and the name of the examiner must be left in its place to be destroyed when the 
j)aper is returned. 

(4) If the full account authorized is not expended in the voucher under considera¬ 

tion, a slip must bo made marked at the top with the date and number of the author¬ 
ity and the amounts that can be expended for various articles or purposes; then the 
number of the voucher and the quarter and year and the amounts expended for each 
article must be entered on such slip for reference in examining other vouchers in the 
same account. If no further expenditures are made under such authority in the 
(juarter under examination the slip must be put iu an envelope, marked “ memoran¬ 
dum for exarninei- of- agency,” and handed to the division file clerk to be kept 

until the next account from the same agency is ordered to be examined, then fur¬ 
nished the examiner for his information in case any expenditures may be made under 
the same authority in such succeeding quarter. 

(5) See that the authority under which the purchase was made bears date within 
the same fiscal year iu which the expenditure was made, as all authorities expire 
with the fiscal year iu which they were granted. If incorrect in this particular, note 
an exception and suspend the amount of the voucher till proper authority is fur¬ 
nished. 






THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 



(G) If tlie autliority bears a date prior to the begiiiuing of the quarter, tlie accouut 
for which is under ex.auiiuatioii, but still iii the same liscal year, and no nieinorauduui 
for examiner is found among the pa])ers furnished the examiner, he must look back 
through the accounts received subsequent to tlie date of such authority to satisfy 
himself that no expenditures have been previously made under the same. 

(7) If the voucher does not in every particular come within the limit of the au¬ 
thority as to quantities, prices, and articles, a note of the error must be made by the 
examiner, referring to the voucher and the account in such manner that it can be 
identified, and stating in clear and concise language the particular detect in the 
voucher, what is necessary to correct the error, and suspending the amount of the 
voucher or the overpayment until the required correction is made or a proper ex- 
l»lanation is furnished. 

(H) See that the original invoice of purchase is attached to the voucher as a sub¬ 
voucher, and that it contains a properly itemized bill of the property purchased and 
the prices paid. 

(9) kSee that the name of the person in whose favor the voucher is made is the same 
in every particular as the signature to the receipt appearing thereon. It any dis¬ 
crepancy, note the same, stating in what the error consists, and suspending the 
amount of the voucher until one in proper form is furnished. 

(10) If the voucher is made in favor of a partnership or tirni, see that the receipt is 
signed by the tirm name, or the firm name per one of the partners. If such voucher is 
signed by the tirm name per any initial or mark indicating that it was done by a clerk 
or person other than one of the partners, see that proper authorit.y is furnished from 
the tirm for such person to receive and receipt for money due the tirm. If such au¬ 
thority does not appear, the amount of the voucher must be sus[)ened until a properly 
signed receipt is furnished, and the exception noted. 

(11) If the voucher is drawn in favor of a corporation, the receipt must be signed 
by the corporate name per the name of the officer authorized to receive and receipt 
for money due such cor])oration, giving his official title as treasurer, secretary, or 
whatsoever it may be. If any error exists in regard to this point, the amount of the 
voucher must be suspened aud the exception noted. 

(12) If the person in whose favor the voucher is made cannot vaite, and his name 
is signed to the voucher by another person it must be designated thus: John (his x 
mark) Doe, and such signature must also be witnessed. In case the payment is made 
to an Indian, and the amount is $10 or over, there must be also a certificate of, the 
interpreter in addition to the witness to signature (vide sec. J02, Regulations Indian 
Department, 18.'^4). Any error in this regard must be noted and usual suspension 

.made. 

(13) The computations in the voucher must be carefully examined to sec that the 
correct amounts are extended and the total correctly footed. 

(14) See that the total footing of the voucher is the same as that written in the re¬ 
ceipt, also see that the receipt is properly tilled up. Note any error in this regard in 
the usual way. 

(15) See that the certificate at the bottom of the voucher is properly tilled, dated, 
aud signed by the agent, including the statement that the prices paid were reasonable 
and the lowest obtainable. Note all defects and omissions. 

(IG) See that the items purchased and appearing on the voucher are properly en¬ 
tered on Abstract A, of the property accouut, checking the same on such abstract. If 
not properly taken up, note exception and suspend the amount of the voucher until 
the property is accounted for. 

(17) See that statement on back of voucher as to whether payment was made by 
cash or check is jiroperly tilled out, aud if by check that the number of same is given. 
Note exception aud suspension if this has not been done. 

(18) See that the number of the voucher, the name of the person in whose favor the 
same is made, and the total amount of the same, are correctly entered on the abstract 
of disbursements. 

Purchases under contract. 

(I) When a voucher shows a purchase made under contract the examiner should go 
to the finance division and see if such contract has been made, and if so, whether it 
lias been approved, and whether the articles named and the prices charged in the 
voucher are the same as specified in the contract, aud that none of the articles pur¬ 
chased exceed the (quantity contracted for. 

(2) Examine the computations appearing in the voucher and see that all amounts 
are correctly extended and the total correctly footed. 

(3) See that the names of all parties are co rrectly written, and the receipts correctly 
signed in the same manner as specified above in regard to the voucher for open market 
purchase. 

(4) See that all certificates are properly filled out, dated, and signed by the agent. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


93 


(5) If tbe contract specifies that the goods shall he inspected before delivery or 
payment, the report of such inspection must accompany the voucher. There should 
also be a weigher’s return showing the weight of the property purchased. 

(0) All property appearing uiioii such voucher must be taken up on Abstract B of 
the property account. A defect or omission in any of the above particulars is ground 
for taking an exception and suspending the amount of the voucher until such defect 
is corrected or omission supplied. 


Traveling expenses. 

(1) A copy of authority from the Secretary of the Interior for making the journey 
or incurring the expense, should be attached to the voucher. If no copy is so attached, 
the record of authorities in the files division should be examined to ascertain if such 
authority has been granted. 

(2) If any limit is fixed in the authority to the amount to he expended, the voucher 
must not exceed such limit. 

(3) Subvouchers for traveling expenses must be taken by the agent whenever 
practicable and attached to the voucher. Such subvouchers when for board must 
show the time and rate and be signed by the person to whom payment was made. 

(4) When no subvouchers are furnished the reason for failure to do so must be 
stated. 

(5j The voucher should be made in favor of the agent and the receipt be signed by 
him except where the expense was incurred by some employ^ other than the agent, in 
which case the voucher should be made in the name of and be signed by the person in¬ 
curring the expense, and there must also in such case, in addition to the subvouchers, 
be an affidavit of such person attached to the voucher, reciting that the various items 
appearing therein are correct, and that they have be«n verified by the memorandum 
of such expenses kept by the person making such affidavit, as required in section 135, 
Regulations, 1884. 

((5) If the voucher is in favor of the agent, the certificate at the bottom must state 
that the various items have been verified by his memorandum of expenses. Section 
135, Regulations of 1884, must be fully complied with. 

(7) Each subvoucher must be examined to see if the computations are correct and 
the amount of the same properly entered on the voucher; also to see that there is not 
more than one payment made for the same time or service, and that such subvouchers 
are properly signed. 

(8) If railroad fare is included in such traveling expenses, the table of subsidized 
roads in Department Regulations, 1884, must be examined to see that such roads are 
not included in those over which fare is paid. Should such payment be made the 
amount of same must be disallowed. 

(D) The total amount of the voucher must be properly entered on the abstract of 
disbursements. 

If the voucher is defective in any of the above-mentioned particulars, except (8), 
an exception must be taken by the examiner, and the amount involved in such error 
suspended until proi^er correction is made by the agent. 

The same regulations apply lo such voucher in regard to filling and dating certifi¬ 
cates, signing such certificates by the agent and sj^ecifying whether payment was in 
cash or by check, as apply to vouchers for open market purchases (q. v.). 

Transportation vouchers. 

A large part of the supplies purchased for the Indians and for use at tlie various 
agencies are delivered by transportation contractors at railway stations or boat land¬ 
ings at some distance from the agencies. The transportation of these supplies from 
such points to the agencies is usually performed by Indians. The form of voucher 
on which payments are made for such service is prescribed in section 320 of Depart¬ 
ment Regulations, 1884, and in the examination of such voucher the following points 
must be noted: 

(1) See that a subvoucher is furnished for each load transported, which sub voucher 
must show the package numbers and weights of the various packages, aud be signed 
by the Indian to whose eare they are intrusted, his signature thereto being witnessed, 
as required in other cases. 

(2) If the claims of the transportation contractor have been received in the Indian 
office, refer to the accounts division property book for the numbers of such claims, 
and procure the claims from the files division, leaving in place of each a properly 
numbered slip with the name of the examiner taking the same. Each bill of lading- 
attached to the voucher must be compared with such transportation claim, and every 
package identified by number and weight. Each item, as identified, should be 
checked on both the bill of lading and the transportation claim, in order to show what 


94 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


bas been verified, and. to i)reveut confusion. This comparison is necessary io ascer¬ 
tain that transportation is not paid more than once on any portion of tlie supplies, 
and that nothing but Government supplies are so transported. 

(8) If claims of transportation contractor have not been received at the time of the 
examination, the account is held on the examiner’s desk for a reasonable time to 
await their receipt. If by reason of failure of the transportation contractor to submit 
his claim ymomptly, such claim is not received by the time it is deemed necessary to 
forward the account to the Treasury, the examiner refers again to the division prop¬ 
erty book for the numbers of the invoices showing the supplies purchased for the 
agency under consideration. Such invoices are obtained from the tiles division in 
the same manner as mentioned above in referring to transportation claims, and the 
X)ackage numbers and weights on the bills of lading attached to the voucher are then 
identified and verified by comparison with such invoices, checking the items as above 
mentioned, each bill of lading, when fully checked, being also checked on the voucher. 

(4) When the property transjjorted has all been verified and checked, the voucher 
must be examined to see that the rate paid is reasonable ; that the computations are 
correctly made ; that the receipts are properly signed and witnessed ; that the certi¬ 
ficate of the interpreter is properly made and signed, and that all certificates to bo 
made by the agent are i)roperly filled out and signed by him. The regulation in re¬ 
gard to payment being made by check or cash must be observed, and then the total 
correctly entered on the abstract of disbursements. 

Any defect or error discovered at any stage of such examination must be noted, de¬ 
scribing it in such manner that it can be easily identified, ami suspending the ameunt 
involved until properly corrected. The exception so taken should instruct the agent 
what is deemed necessary to correct such defect. 

Receipt rolls. 

Agency employ(5s, both regular and irregular, when paid for their services are re¬ 
quired to sign a receipt roll, showing the name and position of the employe, the rate 
of compensation, the period of service, the amount due, ami the amount paid. Such 
receipt roll is submitted as a voucher in the agent’s cash accounts, and in the exam¬ 
ination of such voucher the following points must be observed : 

(1) The voucher must be compared with the report of employes, after verificatiem of 
same (vide report of employes) as to names, positions, and periods of service of the 
employes appearing thereon. 

(<J) If found correct as to above points, compute the amount due each employd, i^ee 
that the receipt is properly signed, and if any signatures arc made by mark, that the 
same are properly witnessed. 

(3) If payment of $10 or over has been made to an Indian on such voucher there 
must be a proper certificate signed by the interpreter, as required bj’- section 302, De¬ 
partment Regulations. 

(4) Receipt-rolls for irregular service must be made out by months, showing the 
days on whish service was rendered by each employd appearing thereon. The re- 
(piirements as to witnesses, interpreter, and agent’s certificates ai^plj’- to such roll in 
same manner as to rolls of regular employds. 

(5) The total footings of such voucher should be verified and the amount carried to 
the abstract of disbursements. 

In the examination of such voucher overpayments are disallowed and others sus¬ 
pended for explanation and correction, in the same manner as heretofore mentioned 
in connection with other vouchers. 


Annuity rolls. 

When annuity pay-rolls appear in an agent’s accounts it is necessary to verify their 
correctness in regard to certain particulars, and the usual mode of procedure is as 
follows: 

(1) When payments have been made to persons acting as guardians for minors or 
others a certificate of guardianship must be attached to the roll, setting forth the fact 
that such person (giving number on roll and name) is the person properly authorized 
to receive and receipt for money due such minor or other person (giving number and 
name). Such certificate must be signed by two or more of the principal men of the 
tribe, and verified by an interpreter and two disinterested witnesses. These certifi¬ 
cates should first be examined and the names and numbers aiipearing thereon should 
be checked On the rolls. Each certificate should also be checked to show that it has’ 
been examined and noted on the roll. 

(2) Each name appearing on the voucher must be compared wfiththe preceding roll 

for the same tribe and identified thereon as to name, age, sex, and family relation, 
except those shown on the voucher to have been born subsequent to the last preeed- 
jng payment, ^ 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 95 

(3) All signatures must bo witnessed by two disinterested witnesses wlio can write 
their names. 

(4) All additions must be verified, and it should also be seen that the correct total 
is carried to the certificates of the agent at the end of the roll. 

(5) Where an annuitant is noted in the margin of the roll as having died, it should 
be noted that such death did not occur prior to the last preceding payment, as but 
one payment can be made on account of an annuitant after death. 

(fi) The certiticates of the interpreter, witnesses, and agent, at the end of the roll, 
must all be properly filled, dated, and signed. 

(7) The total amount of such annuity roll should appear properly entered on the 
abstract of disbursements. 

All errors appearing on the face of the roll, as well as all discrepancies between it 
and the prior roll, must be noted, and an exception taken in the same way as directed 
in regard to the other classes of vouchors heretofore mentioned. 

All unauthorized payments must be disallowed. 

ABSTRACT OF DISBURSEMENTS. 

After the examiner is satisfied that all vouchers representing the expenditure of 
money have been properly entered on the abstract of disbursements, the same must 
be footed and the total placed to the credit of the agent on the account-current. 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. 

When a certificate of deposit accompanies an account, showing funds deposited to 
the cre<lit of the United States during the quarter, the amount of the same should 
api)ear upon the account-current to the credit of the agent. 

CLOSING THE ACCOUNT-CURRENT. 

After all entries to the credit of the agent have been made on account-current, foot 
both debit and credit sides of the same, strike the balance and bring down as balance 
due United States at end of quarter. 

PROPERTY ACCOUNT. 

After the examination of the cash account has been completed and all the errors 
and discrepancies noted, the property account is taken up. 

The papers comprising the property account are the property return, six abstracts 
designated A, B, C, D, E, and F, with the vouchers and i)apers belonging to each and 
a return of medical property. 

The property return is an alphabetically arranged statement, showing the amounts 
and kinds of property belonging to the Government in the hands of the agent at the 
beginning of the quarter, the amounts and kinds received during the quarter, as shown 
by Abstracts A, B, and C, the amounts and kinds expended for various purposes during 
the same period, as shown by Abstracts D, E, and F, and the balance remaining on 
hand at the end of the quarter. The papers are taken up for examination in the order 
above indicated. 

Froperty return. —(1) The property return must be compared with the duplicate 
return for the preceding quarter, to ascertain whether all the property remaining on 
hand at the close of such preceding quarter has been correctly brought forward. If 
a less quantity of any article is brought forward than was on hand at the close of the 
previous quarter, the error must be noted and the difference charged to the agent. If 
a greater amount is brought forward than appears to have been on hand, such fact 
must be noted, and the agent requested to explain from whence he obtained the excess. 
The property return will be again referred to in the conclusion of the examination. 

Abstract A. —(1) This abstract shows property purchased in open market, and should 
be carei ully examined to see that all the items appearing thereon have been checked 
during the’fixamination of the cash vouchers for open-market purchases. 

(2) The various amounts of the different kinds of property appearing on this ab¬ 
stract must be accurately footed and such footings entered on the proper line and 
under the proper heading on the property return. 

Absiract it.—This abstract shows, or should show, the property received during the 
(piarter, which was purchased under contract, and should be examined with refer¬ 
ence to the following points: 

(1) The abstract must be compared with the “ Property Book,” which contains an 
abstract of all the supplies purchased under contract, to see if the amounts taken up 
agree with the jinipunts appearing on such book, as l>een purchased ^br the 

agency. 


06 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


(2) If any differences appear between the book and the abstract, the file number 
of the invoice should bo taken from the book and the invoice procured from the tiles 
division compared with the abstract. If there is still a difference for which there 
appears no satisfactory ex[)lancition, the file number of the transportation claim 
should be taken from the book and such claim obtained from tiles division, to see if 
any shorta.ge has been claimed therein by the agent. Where a less quantity is 
taken up than appears to have been purchased and delivered, the difference must be 
noted and charged to the agent. If a greater amount is taken up than appears to 
have been furnished, the agent should be called upon to explain the source from 
whence obtained. 

(3) The footings of all items on such abstract should be verified and such footings 
carried tothoproiierty return in the same manner as prescribed in regard to abstract A. 

Abstract C. —The agent must report upon this abstract all articles manufactured or 
produced in any manner at the agency during the quarter, all increase of agency 
stock, all property that may have come into his hands from any source other than 
purchase or consignment, and all property taken up to correct errors in former ac¬ 
counts. 

(1) The abstract must be examined to see that it bears, in addition to the certifi¬ 
cate of the agent, the certificate of each and every employd having charge of any 
branch of the agency work, showing that it is a true exhibit of all articles so received 
at the agency during the quarter. If no property has been so received during the 
quarter, a certificate to that effect, signed by each employe above referred to, as well 
as by the agent, must appear upon the face of the abstract. 

(2) The various items appearing on the abstract should be accurately footed and 
carried to the property return in the same manuer as directed in regard to abstracts 
A and B. 

Abstract D. —This abstract shows issues to Indians, and the principal vouchers ac¬ 
companying it are weekly issues, treaty annuity issues, and occasional issues to the 
aged, sick, and infirm. 

As to weekly issues, the voucher must show— 

(1) The kinds of supplies issued, the number of rations issued each family, the 
number in each family, the receipts of the heads of families for the supplies so issued, 
which receipts must be witnessed. 

(2) The number of rations of each article appearing as issued on the voucher must 
be footed and reduced to pounds. 

(3) The column headed “Number in family” must be footed and computation made 
to ascertain that the amount issued does not exceed the limit pre.scribed in the table 
of rations contained in Department Regulations, 18ri4. 

(4) The certificates of the two witnesses on the back of the voucher must be com¬ 
pared with the number of pounds issued to see thatdhey agree in every particular. 

(5) The certificates of the interpreter, witnesses, and agent must be carefully ex¬ 
amined to see that they are correctly filled out and signed. 

(6) Where issues are made for a longer period than one week, "?»:ie examiner should 
ascertain, from the voucher, if possible, otherwise from the office records, whether 
authority was granted the agent to make such issues. 

(7) The total amount issued on each voucher should be correctly carried to vhc 
abstract. 

As to annuity issues, in the examination of a voucher the examiner should notice_ 

(1) That no unjust discrimination is made in regard to the quantities issued by 
giving some too much and others too little. 

,(2) That where wagons, harness, or agricultural implements are issued, that the 
agent has proper authority for so doing, as required bv section 5132, Department Reir- 
ulations, 1884. ^ 

(3) That all certificates are properly filled and signed, and all signatures bv mark 
properly witnessed. 

(4) That the voucher is correctly footed, and all the footings correctly entered on 
the abstract. 

As to occasional issues the same rules are to be applied to vouchers as to annuity 
issues. 

When the footings of ail the vouchers have been verified as correctly entered on 
the abstract, the abstract itself must be examined to see that all footiu'^s appearin'*' 
thereon are correct, and then that such correct amounts have been jiroperly entered 
on the iiroperty return as expended. 

Abstract 7*,’.—This abstract shows the amounts of the various kinds of subsistence 
sold to employes during the quarter. The examiner should notice— 

(1) That the amounts entered at the top of the abstract as “price” and “trans¬ 
portation ” are correct as to each article appearing thereon. (This can be ascer¬ 
tained by consulting the contract tables.) 

(2) That the quantity of siqqilios sold each person amounts to the sum set onpo- 

site the name of such person j ^ * 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


97 


(3) That the abstract bears, iu addition to the affidavit of the agent as to its cor¬ 
rectness, the affidavit of each employshowing that snch abstract shows all siip- 
idies purchased by him from the Government duriug the quarter. 

(4) That snpplies are sold to employes only. 

(5) That the qnantities sold are correctly footed on the abstract, and properly en¬ 
tered as expended on the property retnrn. 

(6) That the total amonnt received for supplies sold is checked as having been car¬ 
ried to the account current as a charge against the agent. (Such check should be 
made in examination of the cash account, q. v.) 

If the amount shown on the abstract to have been received for supplies sold is not 
as much as the given quantities amount to at the correct prices, such supplies must 
be charged to the agent until he accounts for the proper amount. 

Abstract F. —This abstract is the one upon which is reported all property expended 
at the agency, such as stationery, fuel, feed, supplies for farm, mill, shops, and schools; 
property destroyed by board of survey; stock strayed, stolen, and died; cattle 
slaughtered for issue, &c. The examiner must see— 

(1) That the expenditure of each article dropped must be verified by the certificate 
of the farmer, miller, or other employ^ under whose supervision the expenditure was 
made. In snch certificate the disposition made of each article must be shown. 

(2) That where credit is taken for stock lost, stolen, or dead, the fact of such loss 
or death must be established by the affidavit of one or more disinterested persons iu 
addition to the agenFs certificate. 

(3) That where property is dropped as destroyed by order of a board of survey, the 
fact that the report of the board recommending such disposition of the articles so 
dropped has been approved by the office—(if a copy of letter of approval does not 
accomp.any the voucher, it can probably be found in Accounts Letter Book)—and that 
such destruction is verified by the sworn report of the persons who destroyed the 
condemned property, showing the time when and the manner iu which the destruc¬ 
tion was accomplished. 

(4) That in dropping subsistence snpplies issued to schools, the requisitions sub¬ 
mitted as vouchers must be properly filled, dated, and signed, and the table of rations 
prescribed in Department Regulations, 1884, must not be exceeded. 

(5) That all articles manufactured or fabricated out of goods or property dropped 
on this abstract must be taken up on Abstract C. 

(6) That when property is dropped as worn out or worthless, it must be done in 
conformity with section 387, Department Regulations, 1884. 

(7) That where cattle are slaughtered and the number and gross weight are dropped 
on this abstract, the net beef derived from such slaughter, and also the hides, must 
be taken up on Abstract C, both the gross weight dropped and net weight taken up 
being verified by the affidavit of the butcher or farmer or both. 

(8) That where beef hides are sold they must be dropped on this abstract and the 
certificate of the purchaser must be submitted showing the number of hides bought 
by him and the price paid, the amount being taken up on the account current. 

"when all the vouchers have been checked upon the abstract, the footings must be 
verified and dropped on the proj)erty retnrn in the same manner as directed in refer¬ 
ence to Abstracts D and E. 

Whenever, in the examination of a property account, an error of any character is 
found it should be noted by the examiner. Where the error consists in taking credit 
for more property than the amount expended, the ditterence should be charged to the 
agent; where credit is taken for less than the amount shown by the vouchers to have 
been expended, the attention of the agent should be called to such fact and an ex¬ 
planation requested. 

CLOSING PROPERTY RETURN. 

After the verified footings of all the abstracts have been properly checked on the 
property return, the amounts charged to the agent should be footed, then the amounts 
to be credited to the agent should be footed and deducted from the amounts charged 
and the balances brought down ns reniaiuing on hand at the end of the quarter. 

MEDICAL PROPERTY RETURNED. 

This retnrn must show all medical inoperty brought forward as on hand at close of 
the preceding quarter, the amount received during the quarter, also the amount ex¬ 
pended with the sick and otherwise, and the amount remaining on hand at the end 
of the quarter. 

The amonnt brought forward from the preceding quarter is verified by comparison 
with the duplicate return found with the preceding account. The amount received 
during the quarter is checked from the invoice of imrchase, the number of which is 
found*’by reference to the property book, the invoice being found in the files division. 

4402 INT-7 


98 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The expenditures are verified by the certificate of the physician. Whenever articles 
are expended otherwise than with sick,” a certificate stating the manner in which 
each article was expended must accompany the return. 

EXCEPTIONS. 

After the examiner has completed the examination of an account, he passes the 
.account, together with his notes made during examination, 1*o the reviewer, who veri¬ 
fies the exceptions taken and notes any additional errors that he finds. I’he account, 
with the exceptions, is then returned to the examiner with such additions and altera¬ 
tions as the reviewer deems proper, and the exceptions are then written out in full 
with copying ink by the examiner, who affixes his name thereto; passes the same to 
the reviewer, who also signs his name on the first page, then hands to the chief of the 
accounts division, who places his initials in the upper right-hand corner and passes 
the exceptions to the division file clerk, who press-copies them in a book kept for 
that purpose and hands them back to the examiner, who folds them and places them 
in jackets—cash and i)roperty separate—indorsed in the following form: 

Cash accounts of-, Indian agent,-Agency,-quarter, 188-. 

Department of the Interior, 

Office of Indian Affairs, 

-, 188-. 

Examined and allowed, except as noted, and respectfully referred to the Second 
Auditor of the Treasury for settlement. 


Commissioner. 

-, Exr. 

The original account is then made into two compact packages, cash and property 
the jackets, with their contents, placed on the front of the respective packages and 
the letter of transmittal on the back of the cash package, and each is then securely 
tied with red tape. The duplicate account is now returned to the file clerk, to be 
kept in the Indian Office for reference, and the packages are handed to the chief of 
the division, who places his initials on the upjDer right-hand corner of each jacket 
and then sends them to the Assistant Commissioner, who places his initials immedi¬ 
ately under those of the chief of division and forwards the packages to the Commis¬ 
sioner, who affixes his signature on the line at the bottom of each jacket. After being 
signed by the Commissioner, the account is returned to the chief of the accounts 
division, then sent to the register clerk, who takes the exceptions from each jacket 
and copies both the jacket and excexitions in a book kept for the j^urpose, then re- 
X)laces them, and enters in the index of accounts opposite the proper agency and 
quarter the name of the examiner, the date of examination, the book and page where 
the exceptions are recorded. The register clerk now obtains from the file clerk the 
]»re8s cojiy of the exceptions and forwards the same to the agent for his information. 
The letter of transmittal is taken from the back of the cash account, a description of 
the account entered on a receipt book, and the packages and receix)t book sent to the 
Second Auditor of the Treasury by a messenger, who delivers the packages and takes 
the receiyjt of the Second Auditor for the same in the receipt book, which he brings 
back and delivers to the register clerk, who makes an entry in the Index of Accounts, 
showing the date such account was sent to the Treasury and the coi)y of exceptions 
to the agent. A similar note is made in the margin of the record containing the ex¬ 
ceptions, opposite such exceptions. The register dork now marks ujmu the letter of 

transmittal the following action : “ Sent to Second Auditor-, 188-,” enters 

both actions now appearing upon such letter opposite the proxier number, in the 
Division Register, and then sends the letter to the files division, where the action?} 
are again noted in the margin of the Files Record, and the letter placed in its prox)cr 
l»lace in the file box. 

AGENCY employes. 

Annual appointment of employis at agencies .—Each agent is required, on or before 
May 1, each year, to submit a list of such positions as he deems essential to the proper 
transaction of the business at his agency during the fiscal year commencing the 1st 
of the following July, and recommending the compensation he deems proper foneach 
position. When such a list is received in the Indian Office it is marked by the As¬ 
sistant Commissioner with the letter A, which signifies that it is to be considered and 
acted upon by the accounts division, and is sent to the files division, where it is 
stamped with an office number and the date of its receipt; a brief is also m.ade of its 
contents to be entered in the files records. The paper is then sent to the desk of the 
chief of the accounts division, who marks it with the name of the clerk in charo-e of 
the employes desk, then i>asses it to the clerk keeping the division register, who enters 











THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


99 


in a book kejit for tlio purpose the number and date of the iiapcr, the name of the 
writer, the name ol the clerk to w'liem referred lor action and the date of such refer¬ 
ence, and then niarks upon the ])aper the book and i)a^e where so entered, and the 
date of entry. The paper then passes to tlie cleik to whom it has been referred, and 
he examines it to ascertain whether the amount estimated for wdll exceed the limit 
uxed by law^ tor employes at any one agency ; whether, if it comes within the legal 
limit, it exceeds the amount available lor pay of employes at that particular agency; 
whether either the number of emph)yes estimated for or the compensation to be paitl 
any ot them is excessive as compared wdth pr .A ions years at the same agency, or with 
other agencies where the Indian ])opulati m approximates that of the one under con¬ 
sideration. Reports ol iuspectors and siiecial agents made during the j’ear in regard 
to employds are also cousi<lered. 

If the estimate appears to be incorrect in any of the above particulars such changes 
and corrections are made as w’ill bring the list within the terms of the statutes and 
Department regulations. The list (or amended list as the case may be) is then entered 
in detail in a book prepared for the jiurpose, showdng each agency separately, and 
transmitted to the honorable Secretary of the Interior for his approval. When the 
Secretary has examined the lists appearing in the book and noted such changes as he 
deems proper it is returned to the Indian Office accompanied by a letter of approval 
or authority, which goes from the Assistant Commissioner to the file-room, wdiere it 

is briefed andslamped “Authority No.-and the date of its receipt, after which 

it takes the same course as the estimate above described until it reaches the desk 
from which it started. A letter is then addressed to each agent inlbrming him of the 
positions and compensations authorized at his agency by the honorable Secretary, 
giving whites and Indians separately, and also the amount allowed for employes at 
the agency for the year. The agent is also instructed to forward on July 1, or as 
soon as possible thereafter, nominations of persons to fill the positions authorize<l, 
such nominations to besubmi ted on the blank descriptive statement furnished for 
the purpose, showdng the following particulars in regard to each emjiloyd : the name, 
position, compensation, sex, race, age, whether married or single, where born, and 
whence appointed. 

These letters to the agents are written m tlie “ rough ’’ by the clerk, who jn^ts his 
initials on the lower left-hand corner, and then passed to the copyist who prims 
them on the type-wniter, after which they are read by the chief of the division, who 
marks his initials in the upper right-hand corner of the tirst sheet of each letter and 
])asses them to the Assistant Commissioner, wdio reviews them and jmts his initials 
under those of the chief and sends them to the Commissioner for his signature, after 
which they are returned to the accounts division and x^i’^ss-copied in the division 
letter-book. 

Each of the original estimates now' has the action entered upon it in the following or 

similar words: “Letter to Agent-,-, 188-,” giving the date of the letter, 

and is then xiassed back to the division subregister, where the action is entered oj>- 
[losite the xiroxier number, and the pafier sent to the files division, where the action 
is again noted ox>i)osite the x>rox)er number in the record containing the brief of the 
contents, and it is then X’hiced in the tiles, in its projier x>hice chronologically and 
numerically. When nominations are receiveil in answer to the letters above men¬ 
tioned, each xiapei* takes the same course as the estimates until it reaches the same 
clerk to w'hom the estimates were referred. Each list of nominations is then care¬ 
fully examined and conqiared with the corresxiondinglist authorized by the honorable 
►Secretary to ascertain whether it conforms thereto as to the number of employes, the 
designation of each of the various jiositions and the comx>ensation; also to ascertain 
w'hether in any case wdiites have been nominated for positions where Indians were 
authorized. If found correct, the names submitted liy the agent are entered in a book, 
called the einjiloyd record, which shows the iiersonal descriiition of each employ^ as 
it appears on the descriptive statement, and also shows the file number of such de¬ 
scriptive statement. When the names have been properly entered on such record and 
checked on the descriptive statement, a letter bearing in the upper left-hand corner 
the file number of such statement, thus 20:11:1-188-, is addressed to the agent inform¬ 
ing him that the nominations have been approved, specifying the names, position, and 
compensation of each emiiloyd. Such letter undergoes the same process above de¬ 
scribed of copying, reviewing, initialing, signing, and press-copying, and the descrip¬ 
tive statement is marked “ Approved, aiid letter to Agent-,-, 188-,” then 

returned to the siibregistcr, from w'hence it goes to the files division to be disposed 
of in the same manner as the estimates. 

Changes in agency employes.—^how the service of an employ^ at any agency ter¬ 
minates by rea^n of his death, resignation, suspension, or discharge, it is the duty 
of Hie agent to report such fact on the descriptive statement luovided for the juir- 
Xiose, giving the date wdien and the reason wdiy such service terminated. In the 
event of another person being nominated to till a vacancy arising from any cause, 
the name and personal descriiition of such person wdth the date upon which hisserv- 







100 


'fHE DEPARTMENT OP TltE INTERIOR. 


ice began, iiinst be given upon the same blank and in the same manner as required 
in regard to the annual list. Such report, upon reaching tlie Indian Office, takes the 
regular course, receiving at each step a mark or check that enables one to tell at a 
glance how far it has gone and where it properly belongs, until it reaches the em- 
ploy6 clerk who comparea it with the employ^ record to see if the person who is re- 
liorted as going out of the service appears upon such record, also to see if the nomi¬ 
nation to till the vacancy is properly made as to the designation of position and 
compensation, and whether the person so nominated holds any other position in the 
service. If found incorrect it is returned to the agent for correction, and a slip 
bearing the same tile, number and showing the action is kept in its place until it 
is returned. If correct in every particular, the changes are entered in the record and 
a letter addressed to the agent notifying him of such fact, which letter goes through 
the regular course of copying, review, signing, and press-copying. The action taken 

is noted on the report thus, Approved, and letter to Agent-,-;-, 188-,” 

and it is then sent to the files division through the regular channel, being checked 
at each step backward until it reaches its resting place in the file box. 

Irregular employds. —Agents are allowed, under certain restrictions, when sufficient 
funds applicable to such jiurpose are available, to employ irregular service to 
meet exigencies which are constantly arising, and such service must be reported at the 
(uid of each month on a blank provided for the purpose, showing the character of the 
service rendered, the necessity for the same, the days upon which such service was 
jierformed, the rate of compensation, the total amount paid, and the name of the per¬ 
son who performed the wmrk. A re])ort of this character, when received by the office, 
takes the same course as estimates for employes and annual nominations, until it 
reaches the clerk in charge of employes, who examines it to see if the work performed 
is of proper character, whether the agent’s statement of the necessity for the same is 
satisfactory and the rate of compensation reasonable ; also whether the number of 
(lays upon which labor was performed is correctly carried out, whether Sundays are 
included, and if so whether the work is of such character as would warrant the agent 
ill so doing, and whether the computation of the amount jiaid is correct. The clerk 
must also satisfy himself that the amount so expended does not exceed the limit 
lixed by law for employes at any one agency, nor the amount allowed for employes 
at the particular agency under consideration. If any white labor appears on such 
reiiort which has not been previously authorized, a letter is addressed to the honor¬ 
able Secretary of the Interior, inclosing the report and requesting his approval of the 
same, w hich letter takes the regular course, being finally press-copied in the division 
letter-book and then forwarded. When the Department letter returning such report 
is received, it goes to the files division to be stamped with its proper authority num¬ 
ber and then through the regular channels of checks and entries until it reaches the 
clerk who wu’ote the letter requesting the authority. A letter bearing the file num¬ 
ber of the report and the authority number is written to the agent notifying him of 
the approval of such report, specifying the' white and Indian labor sejiarately. This 
letter goes the usual round of review, checks, and signing, being finally press-coj^ied 
before forwarding to the agent. An entry is made on the employ6 record of the sub¬ 
stance of the report, which is then marked “Approved, and letter to Agent-,- 

—, 188-.” The hame of the clerk to whom the report was first referred is then canceled 
and the name of the clerk having charge of the accounts and division tiles substituted 
therefor. The report then goes to the division subregister, where the change in refer¬ 
ence is noted, after which it goes to the divismn tiles to be considered in connection 
with the agent’s accounts when they are taken up by the examiner, after wffiich it 
retraces its course to the tiles division where it afteiwvards remains. 

APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. 

Commission from President to Assistant Commissioner and by him assigned to ac¬ 
counts division. 

To general tiles division for record. 

From general tiles division to chief of accounts division, who refers it by indorse¬ 
ment to clerk to whom assigned. 

'i'o accounts division subregister for record of tile mark, date, and name of writer, 
name of clerk charged to, and date of such charge. 

Indor.sed with date and page on which entered on subregisfer and char<>-ed to 
clerk. 

To clerk’s desk for action. 

Letter w'ritteu notifying appointee, informing him as to salary, amount of bond 
required, expenses allowed, Arc., and instructing him to notify the office if he ac¬ 
cepts. 

Blanks for official bond tilled up and completed as far as possible, and sent with 
instructions as to proper manner of executing it. 


( \ 






THE DEPARTMENT OF-THE INTERIOR. 


101 


Bond received Ironi agent goes to Assistant Commissioner and follows the same 
conpe, receiving same action as the commission until it reaches the clerk in accounts 
division to whom assigned. 

The clerk examines it to see that the date of execution of bond and oath of office 
are even. 

That the allidavits of sureties and of United States judge or attorney are not 
earlier than date of execution of bond. 

That there are at least two sureties. 

That the lull name of the principal and each of his sureties are written in the body 
of the bond and signed to the bond, and that the place of residence of each surety 
is designated in the body of the instrument. 

That seals are attached to all signatures of principal and sureties. 

That two persons sign as witnesses, stating their residence, and that it appears for 
whom each wdtiiess signs. 

That e.ach surety states under oath the nature of the property w'hich he offers as 
surety. It must appear that the property offered is available upon execution. If a 
woman is offered as surety, it must appear that she is single. 

That the real estate in which the sureties justify aggregates at least doul)le the 
penalty of the bond. 

That the officer before whom any of the acknowledgments are made or oaths taken 
affixes his official seal, and that a separate and distinct impression of the seal is 
made for each acknowledgment or oath. 

That the official standing of the notary iniblic, justice of the peace, United States 
commissioner, or other officer qualified to administer oaths (except a clerk of a court 
of record), before whom an acknowledgment is made or oath taken, is evidenced by 
the formal certificate of the clerk of the proper court of record or other competent 
authority. 

That the sufficiency of the sureties is certified to by a United States district judge 
or attorney. 

That none of the sureties offered are bonded officers of the United States. 

That no erasures or mutilations of any kind have been made, except such as have 
been certified to as having been made before signing. 

If the bond is found defective it is returned to the appointee with a letter pointing 
out the defect and instructing him what is necessary for him to do to remedy it. 

If the bond is considered acceptable by the clerk he places his initials on it and 
submits it to the chief of division for his examination. 

If the chief of division is satisfied wdth it he places his initials on it and submits it 
to the Assistant Commissioner for his consideration. If found satisfactory by Assist¬ 
ant Commissioner ho initials it and submits it to the Commissioner, who, if it meets 
his approval, transmits it by indorsement to the honorable Secretary of the Interior 
lor his consideration. 

The Secretary returns it approved or disapproved, as the case may be. If not ap¬ 
proved it is returned to the aiipointee with further instructions. If approved it goes 
to accounts division, wdiere it is copied in the permanent record, and by letter for¬ 
warded to the Second Comptroller of the Treasury Department for file in his office. 

The Comjitroller is notified of the date of the agent’s appointment, whether wdtli 
consent of the Senate, or ad interim, date of oath of office, who the new agent suc¬ 
ceeds, whether the old agent’s term had expired or ho w^as suspended, and w hether 
the new agent has given any other bond under said apiiointment. 

Second Auditor notified by letter of name of now^ agent, agency appointed to, date 
of appointment, term of service, who he succeeds, date of oath of office, date of bond, 
and amount of bond. 

Finance division notified of new agent’s name, agency appointed to, date and 
amount of bond. 

Commission from the President copied on xiermanent record and forwarded to new 
agent. 

Appointee notified that his official bond is received and approved, and instructed to 
Iiroceed to agency and to receipt to old agent for public iiroperty. Informed of most 
direct route to agency, that his personal traveling expense going to agency will be 
allow^ed, therefore a proper account must be kept and vouchers taken. 

A letter written to old agent instructing him to turn agency over to new' man on his 
application; to deposit all public funds remaining in liis hands or to his official credit, 
after paying all indebtedness for services of employes, &c., incurred by or under him, 
to the credit of the United States, or to issue certified vouchers for such approved 
outstanding liabilities as he may not have funds applicable to payment of; to turn 
over to his successor any miscellaneous receipts. Class IV, he may have, and, if he 
served out the term for wTiich appointed, that his personal traveling and incidental 
expenses to his home will be allowed, and that he must keep a proper accoupt of same, 
sustained with vouchers, 


102 


tup: depaktmp^nt of the interior. 


Record of cliango made ou indexed roster of aji^CDta and ebanges at agencies, show¬ 
ing date appointment or contirination takes elfect and when expires; whether by 
advice and consent of Senate or ad inierini; date of olticial bond ; amount of official 
bond; date new agent receipted to old for public property and took charge of agency, 
which governs date his pay as agent commences. 

And in reference to outgoing agents : 

Hate immediately preceding that on which new agent receipted to him which gov¬ 
erns his termination of service and pay. 

Nature of change, whether by expiration of term of service or suspension. 

If suspension, tile mark and date of letter notifyhig him of said suspension and date 
of transmittal of same to him by letter from accounts division. 

Letter transmitting commission indorsed with date agent notilied, date blanks for 
bond sent, and date commission sent to new agent. 

To accounts division subregister for action to be noted, and clerk credited with 
return of letter. 

To general division of liles and records for record of action and tiling. 

liCtier transmitting agent’s bond indorsed with: Date bond submitted to the Sec¬ 
retary ; date bond transmitted to Comptroller; date Auditor notitied of appointment 
of agent and filing of bond; date now agent notitied that bond is approved ; date 
old agent is notitied to turn over public property to new agent. 

To accounts subregister that action may be recorded and clerk receive credit for 
letter, and thence to general liles division as above explained. 

When new agent’s letter notifying this office of date ou which he receijited to old 
agent and assumed charge of agency is received, the Assistant Commissioner assigns 
it to accounts division, and it goes to the general tiles division to finally reach the 
clerk in accounts division to whom assigned for action. 

The Second Comptroller is notitied of said date by letter. 

All other divisions of the Indian Office are notified in writing of the change. 

Record is made on the indexed roster of agents of said date and of tile mark of 
agent’s letter. 

Letter indorsed with date Comptroller notitied, date Auditor notified, all divisions 
notified. 

Letter to accounts division subregister for record of action and credit to clerk, and 
thence to general tiles division as before explained. 

Letter to Department transmitting suspension by President of an agent assigned 
by Assistant Commissioner to accounts division. 

To division of tiles to the clerk to whom assigned by the channel above described, 
to clerk’s desk to whom assigned. 

Copy of President’s letter suspending agent made for record in this office. 

Original of President’s letter of suspension to agent by letter of transmittal. 

Comiitroller notitied by letter ; Auditor notified by letter ; all divisions notitied in 
writing. 

l.etter of Department Irausmittiug President’s letter of suspension indorsed with 
dale original sent to agent; date Comptroller notified; date Auditor notitied. 

All divisions notified. 

To subregister accounts division for record of action and credit to clerk and thence 
to general tiles division as above stated. 

When an agent’s term of service expires, before he can be reappointed and qualify 
by filing an acceptable bond, &c., accounts division writes to Department explain¬ 
ing all the circumstances and recommending that said agent be appointed farmer-in¬ 
charge of the agency, at a compensation named, to take effect the day immediately 
succeeding that on which liis term of service under his appointment as agent expires. 

Department letter in reply to Assistant Commissioner by him assigned to accounts 
■division. 

To division of liles and records and thence by channel above described to clerk’s 
desk to whom assigned. 

The agent is notified by letter of his appointment as farmer-in-charge and in¬ 
structed to close his cash account under his official bond with the day his appoint¬ 
ment expires; to deposit all balances of public funds in his hands or to his official 
credit on the evening of that day to the credit of the United States, but that he will 
remain responsible under his bond for all public property in his charo-e when his 
term as agent expired until a properly qualified agent takes charge of tlie agency. 

The Comptroller is notitied by letter, inclosing copy of Department letter of appoint- 
ment. Informed date it takes effect, rate of pay, and that the agent’s cash account 
vvill close with date preceding that on which appointment as farmer-in-charge takes 
etiect, but that the property account will be continued up to the end of the current 
quarter or until a regular agent takes charge. 

Auditor notitied by letter to same effect. 

All divisions notitied. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


103 


Department letter apiipoiutin^ the farmer-in-charge indorsed wtth: Date of letter 
of instructions to aiipointee : date of letter of notiticatiou to Comptroller; date of 
letter of notification to Auditor. 

All divisions notified. 

To snbrogister of accounts division for record of action and credit to clerk, and 
thence to general files division. 

A])pointment recorded in indexed roster of agents and agencies, viz: Name of ap¬ 
pointee; date agent’s term ceased; date farmer-in-charge to receive pay from; file 
mark of Department letter of appointment and date of office letter instructing said 
farmer-iu-charge. 

Comptroller’s letter acknowledging receipt of Commissioner’s letter transmitting 
agent’s bond. 

To Assistant Commissioner for assignment to proper division. 

To division of general files and records, and thence to clerks to whom assigned by 
channel before explained. 

Noted by check and marked “ File.” 

To snbregister accounts division for record of action and credit to clerk, and thence 
to general files division. 

All letters referred to above as being written by this division require the follow¬ 
ing described action : 

A rough of the letter is written by the clerk engaged on the work. The rough 
is submitted to the chief of accounts division for his consideration. If approved by 
him ho affixes his initials to it and hands it to the type-writer, who copies it. 

The copy is then handed to the chief of division, is road by him, and if found correct 
he affixes his initials and refers it to the Assistant Commissioner who, if it is merely 
a routine matter, reads, and if it meets his approval, signs it. If it is a paper re¬ 
quiring the signature of the Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner reads and 
merely notes his apiiroval by affixing his initials, and it is then submitted to the 
Commissioner for his consideration and signature if approved. In either case, after 
being signed, it returns to accounts division to be press copied, put in an envelope, 
sealed, addressed, and mailed. 

The rough is then marked as copied and transferred to general files (^vision to be 
filed for future reference if required, and the copy in the press book, subject indexed. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the accounts division of the Indian Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

a 

c3 

. 

n 

ta 

Cm 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. ! 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 18c5. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. - 

c3 

!>• 

- 

a” 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1887. 

Disposed of in 
1887. 

Pending Mar. 
1,1887. 

A nnnn'nt.ft ..... - . 

115 

417 

396 

136 

435 

484 

87 

440 

408 

119 

90 

87 

122 

Explanations to accounts — 

_ _ ___ 

22 

361 

374 

9 

413 

405 

17 

449 

453 

13 

72 

77 

8 

T.Rtitp.rs ______ 

182 

8, 227 
G, 596 
1, 544 
55 

8, 300 

109 

11,150 
7,321 
2, 553 
71 

11,155 

104 

11.747 

11,693 

158 

1, 736 

1,800 

94 

-- -- 

6, 598 
1,544 
55 


7, 321 


7, 320 
2, 957 

7, 320 
2, 957 


1,141 
717 

1; 141 





2; 553 
71 



'717 


.. ___ 




76 

76 


8 

8 


Srtnitf^Ty ... 


721 

721 


780 

780 


789 

789 


166 

166 


.. _-__ 


34 

34 


66 

66 


62 

62 


10 

10 















ACCOUNTS. 

In regard to the statement showing the number of accounts on hand March 1,1887, 
it is remarked that a comparison of this number with the number on hand January 
1 1887 will not be a fair one, for the reason that these accounts, as has hereinbefore 
been stated, are received quarterly, and thirty days are allowed after the expiration of 
the quarter in which to prepare them, and, therefore, the only fair comparison which 
can be made is to take the same period in each quarter and compare the number of 
accounts at that time. On the 1st of January, 1887, there were pending and undis¬ 
posed of 122 quarterly accounts, and on the 1st of April, 1887, a corresponding 
quarterly period, there were pending and undisposed of 100 quarterly accounts. 
Since that, during the first quarter of 1887, the number of pending accounts was 
reduced 22. 















































104 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


In order that this matter of the examination of accounts may be more clearly un¬ 
derstood, it should be noted that in order to their proper examination, and prior 
thereto, purchases under contract should be entered upon the property books ot the 
office; goods placed in the hands of trausportation contractors should have been re¬ 
ceipted for by the agents and their receipts received in this office, and the claims for 
transportation settled and entered up; changes of employes properly reported, ap¬ 
proved, and made of record; authorities for exigency ])urchases, traveling expenses, 
&c., obtained from the honorable Secretary of the lutorior; and, in tact, so many 
things to bo done that it is impracticable to have these accounts examined up any 
more nearly than they are at the present time. About 100 accounts are received each 
quarter, and we have on hand to-day only the number received since the Ist of Janu¬ 
ary, 1887. It should also be noted that the work in this direction is more nearly up 
to date than it was on the Ist of January, 1884, although, while the force of the divis¬ 
ion at that time numbered 21, yet for the past year it has been reduced to 17. 

It is safe to say that the work of the division is kept up practically to date; the 
only items of work that are not transacted within twenty-four or forty-eight hours 
after receipt being such as require several stages of action (in which case the difterent 
actions are taken as rapidly as the nature of the business will permit) and the ex¬ 
amination of accounts (in regard to which, as previously explained, it is not practicable 
to have them examined nearer to date than they are at present). 

The principal papers included under the head of letters are: Reports of boards of 
survey; inspectors’reports; special agents’reports; charges against agents and 
agency employes; applications for leave of absence; applications for instructions; 
applications for authority; agents’monthly reports ; agents’monthly statements of, 
and communications on, subjects too various to specify here; indebtedness of em¬ 
ployes. 

Miscellaneous papers are mostly vouchers for weekly issues to Indians, weekly and 
monthly statements of funds in hands of agents and special disbursing officers, and 
weekly supply reports. 

Claims are invoices for supplies of every nature purchased and shipped to agencies 
and Indian schools by this office, and all claims for transportation of 8a4d supplies, as 
well as all purchases by agents and school superintendents, for which they issue cer¬ 
tified vouchers, to be paid through this office. 

The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the accounts division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior: 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

Accounts, quarters. 

45 

32 

29 

31 

36 

58 

34 

23 

22 

' 28 

36 

22 

Explanations to accounts, 
sets. 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

31 

Letters written, pages... 

810 

770 

913 

905 

726 

769 

691 

753 

674 

721 

926 

952 

Claims. 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

129 

Bonds. 

3 

8 

4 

6 

7 

2 

6 

9 

3 

2 

1 

4 

Sanitary reports. 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

60 

Miscellaneous letters.... 

15 

33 

17 

25 

30 

4 

9 

6 

8 

18 

29 

10 

Acknowledgment of ac¬ 
counts . 

28 

55 

23 

36 

51 

15 

33 

44 

29 

29 

49 

22 

Notifying Auditor of re¬ 
ceipt of accounts. 

28 

55 

23 

36 

54 

15 

33 

44 

29 

29 

49 

22 

Notifying Comptroller of 
condition of accounts.. 

28 

55 

23 

36 

54 

15 

33 

44 

29 

29 

49 

22 

Commissions acted upon. 

2 

1 

4 

1 

2 

1 

9 

1 

2 

3 

1 

7 

1885. 

Accounts, quarters. 

53 

49 

33 

41 

44 

44 

31 

25 

30 

50 

34 

50 

Explanations toaccounts, 
sets. 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

34 

Letters written, pages... 

1,162 

854 

1,043 

1, 321 

1,130 

1, 089 

1, 357 

1,341 

1, 686 

1, 422 

1, 055 

1,879 

Claims. 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

211 

Bonds . 

1 

4 

4 

2 

1 

10 

13 

7 

8 

3 

9 

9 

Sanitary reports. 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

65 

Miscellaneous letters.... 

10 

20 

31 

15 

19 

21 

10 

42 

23 

9 

19 

5 

Acknowledgment of ac¬ 
counts . 

25 

58 

26 

39 

60 

7 

30 

69 

9 

41 

64 

7 

Notifying Auditor of re¬ 
ceipt of accounts. 

25 

58 

26 

39 

60 

7 

30 

69 

9 

41 

64 

7 

Notifying Comptroller of 
condition of accounts.. 

25 

58 

26 

39 

60 

7 

30 

69 

9 

41 

64 

7 

Commissions acted upon. 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

8 

17 

9 

11 

7 

6 

2 









































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


105 


Character of business. 

Average amount transacted during each month. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J line. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

i 

1 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1886. 













Accounts, quarters_ 

63 

35 

24 

24 

41 

31 

43 

21 

22 

24 

23 

57 

Explanations to accounts, 













sets. 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

Letters written, pages... 

1,432 

1,3(» 

1,575 

2, 079 

1,719 

1,605 

1,255 

1,441 

1,345 

1,502 

1,023 

1, 

Claims. 

246 

246 

246 

246 

462 

246 

246 

246 

246 

246 

246 

2‘f<» 

Bonds. 

2 


3 

5 

8 

5 

Q 

IG 

10 

IG 

4 

A 

Sanitary reports. 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

60 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

Miscellaneous letters.... 

10 

10 

30 

13 

26 

18 

11 

59 

18 

20 

23 

12 

Acknowledgment of ac- 













counts. 

26 

53 

27 

38 

54 

11 

37 

63 

9 

44 

46 

32 

Notify ing Auditor of re- 













ceipt of accounts. 

26 

53 

27 

38 

54 

11 

37 

63 

9 

44 

46 

32 

NotifyingComptroller of 













condition of accounts.. 

26 

53 

27 

38 

54 

11 

37 

63 

9 

44 

46 

32 

Conimi.ssions acted upon. 

4 

4 

5 

10 

2 

4 

5 

20 

1 

4 

2 

1 

1887. 













Accounts, quarters. 

35 

52 











Explanations to accounts. 









. 




sets. 

38i 

38^ 











Letters written, pages... 

1, 611" 

1,133' 











Claims. 

'358 

'358 











Bonds . 

4 

4 











Sanitary reports. 

83 

83 











Miscellaneous letters.... 

32 

8 











Acknowledgment of ac- 













counts. 

41 

49 











Notifying Auditor of re- 













ceipt of accounts_ 

41 

49 











NotifyingComptroller of 













condition of accounts .. 

41 

49 











Commissions acted upon. 

1 

9 

























Accounts .—As hereinbefore stated, these accounts are not uniform in size, some of 
them containing but ten or fifteen papers, while others contain as many as five hun¬ 
dred, or even more, every one of which requires careful examination as to every item 
appearing thereon. 

In this item of accounts is included, in addition to the examination, the posting of 
each account by the book-keeper. 

Explanations to accounts .—The same thing may be said as to these explanations as 
was said in regard to accounts ; they are reported in sets, some of which contain an¬ 
swers to but a few suspensions, while others contain answers to very many suspen¬ 
sions, covering many quarters of accounts. 

Letters written .—In making report of pages of letters written, it is found that the 
mail of the division was written with pen and ink uj) to Octbber, 1884, inclusive, and 
after that time ui)on the type-writer, and as one page of the type-writer makes one 
and three-fourths pages of pen and ink, as verified by actual count, 7.5 per cent, has 
been added since October, 1884, to the number of pages actually appearing in the 
press-copy books. 

Claims .—This item represents the number of claims entered in the property book 
of the division. 

Bonds .—Represents the number of bonds of disbursing officers received, examined, 
approved, entered in the bond book, and forwarded to the Second Comptroller of the 
Treasury. 

Sanitary reports .—Represents the number received, examined, and entered on the 
record of sanitary statistics. 

Miscellaneous Includes letters notifying officers of failure to send accounts, 

reports, vouchers, &c., in time required by law or regulation. 

Commissions acted upon .—This represents the number of commissions received and 
upon which instructions have been issued, blanks sent per preparation of bonds, &c. 

ADDENDA. 

The foregoing tables and explanatory notes represent, partially at least, the work 
performed by the accounts division for the period embraced in said tables, but it is 
impossible to convey in a report, either by figures or explanation, the entire amount 
of work done. Much of the work in connection with the e:5aniinntion of accounts, 
























































106 


THE - DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


tracing through old rolls tho rights of individual Indians to share in annuities, con¬ 
sidering reports of boards of survey, examining explanations to accounts, &c., is of 
such a nature that it cannot bo represented on paper. 

In addition to this class of work there has been a large amount of miscellaneous 
copying performed by th/s division, which is estimated to have amounted to at least 
15,000 pages i)er annum. During the past six weeks an account has been kept of this 
kind of work, and it has amounted to 2,144 pages, an average of over 357 pages per 
w’^eeR, or at the rate of 18,681 pages per annum. ^ ' ' 

The following statc'ment shows the average number of employes in the accounts 
division of the Indian Olhce, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified : 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 .J 

1885 .j 

1886 .1 

1887 (to March 1).^ 

21 

20.6 

21 

20.3 

20 

]8.5 

17 

16.2 

21 

20. 

21 

19. 

20 

18.5 

17 

16.1 

21 

20.4 

21 

19. 

20 

18.7 

20 

19.6 

20 

19.3 
17 

16.4 

20 

18.4 

20 

19. 

17 

16.6 

20 

16.8 

20 

18.6 

17 

16.4 

20 

18.4 
20 

16.4 
17 

15.3 

20 

13.8 

20 

15.5 
17 

14.5 

20 

18.7 
20 
15.9 
17 

12.7 

20 

17.3 

20 

18.8 

17 

14. 

20 

16.7 

20 

17.5 
17 

13.5 

20 

15.8 

20 

17. 

17 

14.5 






















jifOTE.—The upper figures opposite each year indicate the number actually on the roll; the lower 
figures the average number at desk. 

The difference is the result of special details, annual leaves, sick leaves, and assignments tempora¬ 
rily to other divisions. 

Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least 
during the periods specified, in the accounts division of the Indian Office, Depart¬ 
ment of tho Interior. 

No account of the business performed by each of the eraployds has been kept, for 
the reason that the work of the division is so diversified that it wmuld be impracticable 
to make any comparison by taking the number of accounts, letters, explanations, or 
other papers disposed of. Even in the same kind of work, as the examination of the 
accounts of Indian agents, the acounts of various agents are as different as it is pos¬ 
sible to imagine—some containing 10 or 12 papers and others containing 200 and 300, 
and even more. Not only is this true as regards different agent’s accounts, but even 
in the examination of tho accounts of the same agency they will vary, and that very 
materially, iu different quarters of the year, and it would be impossible to make any 
comparison between the different examiners upon the basis of work performed, ex¬ 
cept by taking all the accounts examined and re-examine them in order to see the 
amount of work involved iu each. It is the duty, however, of the chief of the divis¬ 
ion to exercise a proper oversight over the clerks under him and see that they are 
rendering to the Government an equivalent for the compensation paid them, and in 
case of those not doing so, to report them to the head of the Bureau for dereliction of 
duty. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employds in the accounts division of the Indian Office, Department 
of the Interior: 

4 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

1884. 

20. 25 
20.25 
17.75 
17 

275.2 
276. 5 
277.7 
47.6 

6.5 
6. 5 
6.5 
6.5 

1885. 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1) . 



In making up this statement the Sundays, legal holidays, and days the Department 
was closed by special order have been deducted as well as the half hour for lunch 
and no account taken of work performed before 9 a. m. or after 4 p. m. ' 
















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


107 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employes present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ»is present for tlie least number of days 
in the accounts division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specilied : 



1884. 

18£5. 

1886. 

1887. (To 
Mar. 1.) 

Masiinnmnumbor of days. 

Minimuiii lunubor of days..... 

301.25 
230. 50 

300. 

220. 

305 

200. 50 

48 

40. 50 




The clerk working the minimum number of days in 1886 has had deducted all time 
absent from the office, which includes 50 clays without 2 )ay. 


FINANCE DIVISION. 

Report of the finance division, Indian Office, on the methods of business and work, as re¬ 
quested hi/ Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March^Z, 
1887. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the linance division 
of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) Settlement of all claims for goods and supplies purchased by the Indian Office. 

(•2) Settlement of all claims for goods and supplies transported under contracts. 

(3) Settlement of all claims for services rendered in educating Indians under con¬ 
tract or by special appropiiations made by Congress. 

(4) Settlement of all claims growing out of trust funds and sale of trust lands. 

(5) Settlement of claims of whatever nature for purchases made and services ren¬ 
dered, in addition to those already enumerated above, where payment is not made by 
a bonded disbursing agent. 

(6) Making of contracts for all goods and sup])lies purchased direct by the Indian 
Office, and examination and approval of all other contracts made by subordinate 
officers. 

(7) Recording of all contracts, iucludiug those made for education of children, ex¬ 
cepting only those made between Indians with whites under section 2103 Revised 
Statutes. 

(8) Issuing of all requisitions in payment of claims against the Indian Bureau. 

(9) Issuing of all requisitions for advances made to disbursing officers. 

Ho) Issuing of all requisitions covering funds in the Treasury. 

(11) Recording of all financial transactions of the Indian Bureau in ledgers under 
each head of appropriation and the different subheads. 

(12) Preparation of estimates to Congress for all funds required under treaty or 
otherwise lor the Indian service. 

(13) Preparation of all estimates for the purchase of all goods and supplies for the 
Indian service at the annual letting. 

(14) Examination of all estimates for expenditures submitted by subordinate of¬ 
ficers, whether for the erection of buildings or for the purchase of supplies, &c. 

(1.5) Preparation of all advertisements required to be published in the purchase of 
supplies, the erection of buildings, &c. 

(16) Preparation of annual statement for Congress of receipts and disbursements 

for the Indian service. ^ 

(17) Preparation of statement of liabilities to Indian tribes required for annual re¬ 
port of Secretary of the Treasury. 

(18) Preparation of statement for annual report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs 
on account of trust funds and trust lands. 

(19) Preparation of contract tables, giving in detail each and every bid received 
for goods and supplies for the Indian service during each fiscal year, as required by 

^**^^20) Recording of all property purchased and paid for through the Indian Office 
and not by disbursing agents. 

(21) Miscellaneous items of business too numerous to mention. 






















108 


THE-DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


Statement showing in detail the me.thods of transacting business in the finance 
division of the Indian office, in the Department of the Interior, inclnding one or 
more items of the principal business matters transacted in said divihion, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the Indian Office, and then show¬ 
ing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal busi¬ 
ness matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted 
upon, and the action thereon liad and taken by each, until the same is finally 
disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

This division has charge of all financial affairs pertaining to the Imlian service ; 
acts upon all questions relating to contracts for supplies and annuity goods for 
Indians, and for the transportation of the same ; settles all accounts for goods, sup¬ 
plies, &c., and makes payment for the same ; remits funds to the disbursiug officers 
of the Bureau, and conducts all correspondence relating to goods, supi)lies, &c., and 
the financial affairs generally of the Indian Office. 

In treating of the manner and methods of conducting the “ financial ” branch of 
the Bureau, it is deemed proper and expedient, both for convenience and in order 
that the matters hereinafter set forth may be clearly understood, to make the follow'- 
ing classification, viz: 

(1) Purchase of supplies, &c. 

(2) Settlement of claims or accounts arising under contracts or by open market 
transactions. 

(3) Remittances to disbursiug officers of the Bureau. 

(4) Records of appropriations and expenditures, contracts, &c. 

rUKCIIASE OF SUPPLIES, ETC. 

Formerly large discretion was exercised by the Bureau in its purchases for the 
Indian service, and purchases were frecxuently made under the “ exigency ” clause, 
which did not limit transactions of that character to any specific sum. The act of 
Congress approved March 3, 1875, j^rovided that hereafter no purchases of goods, 
supxjlies, <&c., the cost of which exceeds $1,000 should be made except after pre¬ 
vious advertisement and contract therefor. By the act of August 15, 1876, the open- 
market limit was increased to $2,000 in the case of an emergency, and by the act of 
March 3, 1877, this discretion was further extended so as to permit of x>urchase8 in 
open market to an amount not in excess of $500, and in the case of an exigency to 
an amount not exceeding $3,000. This law has been re-enacted from year to year, 
and by act of May 15, 1886, authority w as also granted to purchase from Indians in 
open market to an amount not exceeding $3,000, and to expend all funds appropri¬ 
ated for construction of ditches and other works for irrigating, in the discretion of 
the Secretary of the Interior, in open market. 

The following is the method of letting contracts for the Indian service: 

After due advertisement, upon authority previously obtained from the honorable the 
Secretary of the Interior, as required by law, inviting x>ropo8als to furnish annuity 
goods, supplies, &,c., the quantities to be furnished being based upon estimates pre¬ 
viously submitted by the various agents of the Indian service, the needs of the In¬ 
dians and schools, existing treaty stipulations, and amount of money provided by 
Congress available for the purpose, sealed bids, in all cases when practicable accom¬ 
panied by samples of the articles proposed to be furnished, are received and deposited 
until the time specified for opening of bids. At the proper time the box in which the 
bids are deposited is opened in the presence of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, a 
representative of the Interior Department designated by the honorable the Secretary 
of the Interior, such members of the Board of Indian Commissioners as desire to be 
present, and a large number of interested persons. The bids are taken from the box 
one at a time, and read publicly by some member of the Board of Indian Commis¬ 
sioners, thence they are passed to clerks to be numbered, recorded, and abstracted, 
after which the officers named, with the abstracts of bids and the samples before them 
(said samples being divested of all marks that could reveal ownership, and having 
already been subjected to the scrutiny of competent inspectors, experts selected for 
their technical knowdedge of the various kinds of goods offered, appointed for the pur¬ 
pose after the bids are opened), make the awards of contract. The abstracts of pro¬ 
posals submitted to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and other persons making the 
awards do not have the names of the bidders, but only the number of the bids. 

After the awards have been made contracts are prepared for execution by the suc- 
sessful bidders, which contracts, after receiving the signature of the Commissioner 
of Indian Affairs, with the necessary bonds for the faithful performance thereof, are 
forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior for his approval, thence they are returned 
to this office for record, after which they are passed to the office of the Second Comp¬ 
troller of the Treasury for files. All contracts made by the Indian Office are exe- 


tiiE DEPARTMENf OF THE iNl'ERlOR. 


109 


cuted in quadruplicate j the origiinil, after approval by the Secretary of the Interior, 
is hied as stated above j one copy is transmitted to the Second Auditor of the Treas¬ 
ury for his information as required by act of March 3, 1875 ; oue copy is sent to the 
contractor, and one filed in the returns office” of the Interior Department as re¬ 
quired by law. 

As soon as possible after the approval of the contract by the proper authorities, 
and the execution of a bond with proper sureties, shipments of goods, supplies, &c., 
are ordered. Sugar, cofi’ee, flour, corn, &c., which are purchased in large quanti¬ 
ties and usually at points remote from the place of making contracts, are inspected 
before shipment, by competent persons appointed for that ])nrpose, by comparison 
with the samples upon which the coutraets were awarded ; in all cases a strict com¬ 
pliance with the terms of the contract as to the quality, &.c,, is required of contract¬ 
ors. In the case of annuity goods, clothing, blankets, and other articles, which are 
in most cases deliverable by contractors in New York City, Chicago, and Saint Louis, 
the contractors are required to deliver said articles either at the warehouse in New 
York or at someplace designated in Chicago, Saint Louis, &c., where they are in¬ 
spected by reputable experts, appointed for that duty, by comparisou with the samples 
upon which the awards were made and the quantities are carefully eompared with 
the invoices. If any of the articles otfeied for delivery fail to conform to or equal 
said samples, the same are rejected and the contractor is required to furnish proper- 
articles within five days after the rejection; failing in this, the office has the right to 
purchase proper articles at the expense of the contractor. If, however, the articles 
offered and not up to sample are required for immediate use by the Indian Bureau, it 
has the right to aecept the same subject to the inspection and test of a competent 
inspector to be designated by the Bureau, who determines the percentage of value 
less than the samples upon which the awards were made, and upon whose finding a 
deduetion twice greater than the difference in value between the articles ottered and 
the samples is made from the price agreed to be paid. 

To insure greater security in the delivery at the agencies of the goods purchased 
and shipped, each package is stamped by the inspector with his name and is given a 
number whieh must correspond with a number on the invoice of the articles fur¬ 
nished. A copy ofthis invoice is forwarded by the first mail after shipment of the 
goods to the agent for whom they are intended, in order that he may compare quan¬ 
tities, &c., of articles received with the articles invoiced. 

The above arrangements in detail in the matter of awarding contracts and the in¬ 
spection and shipment of goods received thereunder, serve to protect the Department 
from both fraud and error, and great care is taken to insure the delivery at the agen¬ 
cies of the goods intended for them. 


SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS OR ACCOUNTS. 

Within the last ten years great improvement has been made in the manner of the 
settlement and payment of accounts for goods, supplies, services, &c. Prior to July 
1, 1876, payments of this class of claims or accounts were made by the superintend¬ 
ents and Indian agents, except for goods, &c., purchased at the annual letting of 
contracts, which covered only a portion of the yearly purchases. About the com¬ 
mencement of the fiscal year 1877 the system of making jjayment through the Indian 
Office for all goods, &c., was adopted, excepting in isolated cases, where the interests 
of the service were better subserved by direct payment through the agents. In pay¬ 
ment for supplies furnished under contract, excepting for articles deliverable atagen- 
cies by contractors, each contractor must furnish invoices in quadruplicate of the 
articles delivered, two of which must have on the back the certificate of the inspector 
to the effect that the articles enumerated thereon (describing the packages by num¬ 
bers Mnd marks) are equal in quality to the samples upon which the contract was 
awarded, and he must also furnish the receipt of the transportation contractor for the 
packages covered by said invoices, describing the same by number and weight. Upon 
presentation of these invoices the contractor’s account is adjusted by the Indian Office, 
the quantities and prices of articles being compared by the examining clerk with the 
records of the original contract; if found correct, the same is “jacketed” and sub¬ 
mitted to the financial clerk for his initials and to the Commissioner for his signature ; 
after receiving which, it goes to the bookkeeper to take a memorandum of the amount 
of the different aiipropriations to be charged and is then recorded in the “special ac¬ 
counts” records. A notice is mailed to the claimant or his attorney of the action by 
the Indian Office on the accounts and it is passed to the Second Auditor of the Treas¬ 
ury for settlement, by whom it is forwarded, with his findings thereon, to the Secdnd 
Comptroller of the Treasury for examination, who certifies the balance due and upon 
whose certificate a requisition on the Secretary of the Interior for said balance due is 
issued by this office, who, in turn, makes requisition on the Secretary of the Treasury 
for the amount of the said account. 


110 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Ill tlio case of deliveries by contractors at agencies, other forms are used, as fol¬ 
lows: “Receii)t” of agent; “ Certiiicatc of insijector; and “ Weigher’s return ; ” 
upon which, properly lilled out and signed by the receiving, inspecting, and weigh¬ 
ing olhcers, payment is made as hereinbefore described. 

Payments for articles purchased in open market” by agents of the Bureau are 
made after the manner before set forth, upon certified vouchers in duplicate, accom¬ 
panied by duplicate invoices and trans])orters’ receipts, wherearticles purchased are 
not delivered by the seller at the agency. 

By a rule of the Department agents of the Bureau are required to obtain authority 
from the head of the Dejiartment, through the Indian Office, before purchasing any 
supplies or incurring any expense for the Indian service, except in a case of absolute 
emergency or exigency, when the necessary articles may be purchased in small quan¬ 
tities ; but in such case an ex^ilanation is recjuired to accomx>any the vouchers x>re- 
sented for approval. 

REMITTANCES TO DISBURSING OFFICERS. 

Advances of jmblic funds are made only to bonded officers of the Bureau and officers 
of the Army detailed for duty under the Indian Department, who are required to sub¬ 
mit quarterly estimates of the amount necessary to conduct the service at the several 
agencies and schools within the period covered by their estimates. Funds for the 
payment of money annuities arising under treaty stipulations are remitted in the fall 
and spring of the year. In all other cases the sums advanced are limited to the amount 
actually required to pay the agents and employes, salaries, said amounts being based 
on the amount allowed for that x)urx)ose at the several agencies, by the Secretary of 
the Interior, in accordance with the law, a small amount necessary to pay traveling 
exjienses of the agents and contingent expenses of their agencies, and, in some cases, 
the amount necessary to pay for supplies, the x)urcha8e of which by the agents has 
already been authorized by the Dex)artmeut. 

RECORDS OF APPROPRIATIONS AND DISBURSEMENTS, CONTRACTS, ETC. 

The system of accounting for moneys api)ropriated by Congress for the Indian De¬ 
partment is very rigid and comj)lete. The records of approi)riatiou8 under existing 
treaty obligations with Indians re<iuire the use of nine large ledgers, in which are 
kejjt full and conqjlete accounts of all receii)ts and disbursements of public funds ap- 
jiroxtriated for the various tribes of Indians. These accounts include not only a record 
of moneys appropriated by Congress, but also of receiijts and disbursements arising 
from interest collected on bonds held by the Government for the benefit of the Indian 
tribes and from the sale of Indian lands. There are nearly three hundred and fifty 
difierent titles of apinopriations, each one distinct Irom the other, and which under 
the law can only be used for such expenditures, as the several treaties or existing lav/ 
may X)rovide in each case. 

Cox)ies of all requisitions issued for funds are kei)t in books xn-epared especially for 
lliat x>urx)ose, which show the amount drawn from the Treasury, to whom paid, and 
1 he character of the supplies furnished or services x>erforined, or, if advances to dis- 
buisiiig officers, to whom and for what x^urxjose. 

Besides the foregoing the following records are kex)t in the finance division of the 
Indian Bureau : Of all contracts for the Indian service, whether for supxtlies, services, 
or otherwise; of all,])roperty, whether purchased under contract or in open market, 
when payment therefor is made through this office and the Treasury Departmemt; 
of all accounts paid through the office and the Treasury; record in detail of all ad¬ 
vances to disbursing officers, showing the apx)ropriation from, and the objects for, 
which the funds are reiuitted, together with the amounts thereof; register of letters 
received for action by the divi^^ou, and of all correspondence emanating from it. 


Statement showing an item of business transaeAed in the finance division, of the Indian 

Of ice, Deqiartmcnt of the Interior. 

Payment of a claim for beef-cattle delivered under contract at an Indian agency 
showing the different stex)s taken to settle tln'i claim and obtain x^oyuient. 

On receipt of the beef-cattle by the Indian agent, he issues receipts, inspection 
certificates, and weigher’s returns, in duplicate; the originals are given to the con¬ 
tractor and the duplicates mailed by the agent direct to the Indian Office. When 
the originals are received from the coiitractor, I hey are sent to the file room of this 
office, where they are “jacketed,” and receive a number, say claims No. Sl2o:i, ami 
are entered into the record ot “claims re<!eive<l.” When the duplicates are received 
they also are sent to the file room properly briefed, numbered, and entered into the 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Ill 


record ofletters received.’’ The pa[)ers arc sent to the “ liuauce division,” where 
the chief of division marks the name of the clerk who is to (^^^amine the claim, on 
the right-hand corner at the bottom of the “jacket,” and they are entered in the 
division record of papers received, and the clerk is charged with the same and be¬ 
comes responsible for them. For convenience, the different agencies are divided 
among three clerks in the finance division, to whom all claims are charged, and each 
examiner is responsible tor the proper settlement of the claims of the agencies as¬ 
signed to him. 

After the receipt by the examining clerk of the original and duplicate receipts, 
inspection certificates, and "weigher’s returns, he examines the papers to convince 
himselt that they are properly made out, that all the stipulations of the contract have 
been complied with, &c., and if he finds such to be a fact, he states an account as 
follows: 

The United States to John Smith : 

For 237 head of steers, weighing 220,410 pounds gross, delivered at Chey¬ 
enne and Arapaho Agency, I. T., January b, 1887, under contract of May 

22, 1880, as per receipts, inspection certificates, and weigher’s returns 

herewith, at $3.20 per 100 pounds. |7, 053 12 

Account stated in Indian Office. A. BROWN, 

Examiner. 

The original papers issued by the agent, together with the above account, are put 
in a “jacket ” indorsed as follows : 

“ The within account of John Smith for 2.37 head of steers, weighing 220,410 pounds 
gross, delivered at Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, I. T., January 5, 1887, under con¬ 
tract of May 22, 1886, amounting to $7,053.12, has been examined and allowed for the 
sum claimed and is forwarded to the Second Auditor of the Treasury for settlement, 
charging appropriation. Support of Arai>ahoes, Cheyennes, Apaches, Kiowas, Co- 
manches, and Wichitas, 1887, $7,053.12.” 

Payment to be made to claimant. Saint Louis, Mo., and property to be charged to 
Agent Williams. 

(Signed) J. D. C. ATKINS, 

Commissioner. 

A. Brown, Examiner. 

Before the jacket is sent for signature to the Commissioner it is handed to the finan¬ 
cial clerk, who gives the papers a cursory examination and sees that the appropria¬ 
tion charged is prox^er. After which ho initials the same on the left hand ux)per corner 
and sends it to the room of the Assistant Commissioner, who also initials the same 
and passes it to the Commissioner for signature. 

The duplicate jiapers are stamped with the word “settled” and the date, ])ut in 
the jacket in which the originals were formerly, and on the outside “To Auditor ” 
and date are written, after which they are given to the clerk in charge of the divis¬ 
ion records, who sends claimant a notice of the allowance of his claim by the Indian 
Office, and then x)asses the jiaiiers to the clerk in charge of the records of prox)erty 
imrchased, who makes the i)roi)er entries on his bonds, charging the beef to the 
agent reeciving it, and returns the papers to the clerk in charge of the division rec¬ 
ords, who enters the action had on the record and returns the jacket containing the 
duplicates to the file-room of the office for tile. 

The jacket containing the original luxpers, after receiving the signature of the 
liead of the Bureau, is xmsed to the book-keei)er of the finance division, who takes a 
memorandum of the name and amount of the claim and the apixropriation to be 
charged and sends it to the clerk in charge of the “ Records of special accounts,” who 
copies, in a book prepared esixecially for that purpose, the indorsement on the jacket 
as stated above, exactly and word for word as it is signed by the head of the Bureau, 
notes the dates on which it is sent to the Second Auditor of the Treasury and sends it 
there by messenger. 

The pai)ers under the law are examined in that office and a settlement stated and 
transmitted to the Second Comptroller of the Treasury, who examines the same and 
certifies the balance due, which balance, under section 191 Revised Statutes, is bind¬ 
ing on the Executive De]>artments of the Government. The vsettlement as certified to 
by the Second Comptroller is transmitted to the Indian Office, where a requisition 
for the amount certified to is issued on the Secretary of the Interior, copied on the 
records of the finance division, and the proper entry made on the ledgers of the divis¬ 
ion. The requisition is examined and initialed by the financial clerk and the Assistant 
Commissioner, and signed by the head of the Bureau, and passed to the Secretary of 
the Interior, who issues a requisition on the Secretary of the Treasury for the amount 



112 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


due. This requisition is countersigned by the Second Comptroller of the Treasur^^ 
and registered by the Second Auditor of the Treasury, and then goes to the Secretary 
of the Treasury for warrant. The warrant issued is signed by the Assistant Secretary 
of the Treasury designated for that purpose, countersigned by the First Comptroller 
of the Treasury, and registered by the Kegister of the Treasury, thence it goes to the 
Treasurer of the United States for draft, which is sent to the claimant. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in Ihc finance division of the Indian Office, Depart¬ 
ment of Interior: 



fl 


Ct-( 

P 

it 


d 

Ct 


d 

Q 



Character of business. 

^ . 

3 

r- OC 

SS 

> 

a 

isposed 0 
in 1884. 

a 

Ht, . 

.2* 

'H-r 

3 . 

'S to 

'SI 

isposed 0 

ia 1885. 

nding Ja: 

1,1886. 

d 

r-t * 

.gbc 

a 

isposed 0 

in 1886. 

d 

l‘g 

2-* 

3 CO 

'"1 

> . 

W GO 

00 

O 1-1 
•. 

T. ^ 

® P 

1*3 

d 

a,: 

.3 2 
^ ,-r 
a 


V 

w 


Ph 

fA 


V 

M 

P 

Oh 


p3 

O; 

Letters. 

875 

12.104 

12, 592 

387 

13,146 

12,-775 

758 

17. 640 

17, 654 

744 

2,715 

2,183 

1, 276 

Claims. 

220 

GoO 

3, 660 

110 

3, 963 

3, 975 

98 

4, 551 

4, 376 

273 

663 

569 

367 


Note.— In explanation of the large number cf letteis on hand undisposed of on March 1, 1887, it is 
stated that all annual estimates for the next fiscal year are received during JaiiMary of each year, but 
are not disposed of until in May or June of the year. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during fche periods specified, by the employes in 
the finance division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

iVIar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

j Dec. 

1884. 







! 





j 

Letters written and 













mailed. 

538 

666 

737 

685 

685 

569 

1,137 

973 

663 

522 

428 

650 

Claims settled. 

206 

154 

130 

137 

201 

196 

209 

169 

322 

458 

252 

322 

Notices mailed to claim- 












ants. . 

Statement of fiinils is- 

211 

161 

137 

148 

206 

193 

205 

76 

335 

461 

268 

337 

sued and mailed. 

23 

46 

35 

31 

47 

22 

30 

17 

70 

20 

35 

45 

Pay requisitions issued.. 

259 

194 

160 

141 

232 

118 

502 

202 

333 

357 

223 

330 

Refunding requisitions 












issued.. 

39 

10 

67 

17 

17 

31 

24 

9 

64 

40 

23 

17 

Contracts made and acted 










upon. 

1885. 

11 

5 

13 

1 

13 

4 

ir>6 

44 

11 

8 

12 

10 

Letters written and 













mailed. 

599 

489 

G38 

557 

385 

764 

634 

737 

498 

577 

609 

633 

Claims settled. 

250 

123 

160 

175 

158 

131 

155 

228 

206 

540 

381 

320 

Notices mailed to claim- 










ants. 

262 

130 

163 

183 

164 

142 

167 

228 

306 

614 

427 

355 

Statements of funds is- 










sued and mailed. 

24 

33 

46 

40 

3 

52 

21 

48 

37 

18 

36 

36 

Pay requisitions issued.. 

318 

195 

267 

214 

233 

138 

234 

223 

274 

321 

375 

259 

Refunding requisitions 










issued.. 

55 

16 

25 

50 

16 

11 

62 

40 

49 

30 

oo 

17 

Contracts made and acted 










upon. 

6 

28 

26 

10 

26 

154 

39 

32 

12 

15 

2 

6 

1886. 













Letters written and 













mailed. 

576 

699 

859 

840 

739 

926 

891 

728 

726 

860 

568 

790 

Claims settled. 

207 

144 

214 

179 

150 

175 

0^7 

321 

582 

419 

885 

285 

Notices mailed to claim- 









ants. 

222 

156 

231 

180 

153 

184 

231 

300 

550 

431 

410 

308 

Statements of funds is- 









sued and mailed. 

18 

41 

37 

21 

37 

20 

33 

33 

49 

25 

49 

37 

Pay requisitions issued .. 

266 

207 

191 

260 

198 

193 

296 

354 

353 

392 

367 

347 

Refunding requisitions 









issued. 

40 

57 

11 

77 

31 

36 

53 

15 

42 

40 

46 

16 

Contracts made and acted 








, upon . 

25 

4 

26 

21 

3 

172 

48 

73 

18 

12 i 

20 

23 




















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


113 


Character of busioess. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1887. 

Letters written and 
mailed. 

588 

230 

2G1 

23 

288 

65 

9 

691 

211 

252 

37 

317 

27 

7 











Claims settled. 











iftotices mailed to claim¬ 
ants . 











Statements of funds is¬ 
sued and mailed. 











Pay requisitions issued.. 
Refunding requisitions 
issued. 





















Couti’acts mado and acted 
upon. 























The following statement shows the average number of employes in the finance 
division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci- 
tied: 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

13 

13 

13 

13 

13 

13 

13 

13 

14 

14 

14 

14 

1885. 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

15 

14 

15 

14 

1886.j. 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

14 

15 

15 

15 

15 

1887 (t.r> Afurfili 1)_ 

14 

14 
















Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during 
the periods specified, iii the finance division of the Indian Office, Department of the 
Interior. 

No account has been kept of the business performed and disposed of by each em¬ 
ploy 6. The work of the division is so diversified that it is impossible to keep an ac¬ 
count. The chief of division sees to it that each employ^, does his or her share of the 
work of the division. 

.... . i . : ! 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the finance division of the Indian Office, Department of 
the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
einploy6s. 

Average num¬ 
ber of days 
])resent. 

Average num¬ 
ber of hours 
employed daily. 


13i 

275J 

7 


14 

271 

7 


14i 

278 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

14 

47 

7 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number ot days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days, 
in the finance division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 


- 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

qto Mar. 1). 

- 1 

306 

297 

■ 304 

48 


213 

234 

258i 

43 






4402 INT-8 

















































































































114 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The number of days, during which the Department was open for the transaction of 


official business, is as follows: 

Days. 

1884 . 307 

1885 . 30H 

1886 . 305 

1887, up to March 1. 48 


In addition to the above, the financial clerk has devoted nearly all Sundays and 
most of the evenings to the transaction of official business. 


! 

FILES AND RECOKDS DIVISION, 

Report of the files and records division, Indian Ofiice, on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the files and records 
division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior. 

The business of this division is to brief, register, index, and file all official docu¬ 
ments received in the Indian Office; and to “abstract” (i. e., to record a brief) index, 
and copy into permanent registers all official communications sent from the office. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the files and rec¬ 
ords division of the Indian Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one 
or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the Indian Office, and then showing 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The mail when received is opened in the office of the honorable Assistant Commis¬ 
sioner, and each piece is marked by him or his representative, for the time being, 
with the initial letter of the division which shall act administratively on the same. 
It is then sent to the files and records division, where it is properly briefed, stamped 
with a stamp bearing the name of this office, and the date of its receipt; then each 
piece receives a distinctive number (which number it forever retains); then the let¬ 
ter is thoroughly indexed as to names of writer, persons mentioned, and the subject; 
it is then (the brief of it) recorded, or registered, iri a proper book, the division to 
which it is charged being noted on said register, as well as the number ; and then it 
goes to the division to which it is charged for appropriate administrative action ; and 
finally, after it has filled its mission, is returned to this division, where it undergoes 
the final action taken up)on it, unless called up by subsequent developments. This 
final action is to note on the register opposite the original entry, what action was had 
on it in the division to which it was sent, and then it is filed away in pjroper recep¬ 
tacles convenient for future reference. 

Of these letters received we have four classes. 

(1) Ordinary letters. 

(2) Claims and contract letters. 

(3) Authority letters. 

(4) Miscellaneous reports (purely routine in nature). 

The first class embraces all official communications from whomsoever and on all 
subjects. 

The second class comprises only letters containing claims against and contracts 
with the United States. (Note: The exception to this being claims of citizens on ac¬ 
count of depredations by Indians, claims for imp)rovements by squatters on Indian 
reservations, claims for damages, and kindred claims.) 

The third class are letters from the honorable tlie Secretary of the Interior alone, 
authorizing this office to perform certain acts, to make purchases, to employ labor, to 
grant surveys, to remove intruders, &e. 

The fourth class is cornposed of certain routine reports required by the regulations 
of this office and the United States Treasury from its agents, and are, viz ; 

(1) Weekly statements of public funds. (2) Monthly statements of public funds. 
(3) Weekly supply reports. (4) Statement of issues to Indians. This class of mail 
is, for convenience, recorded but once a week, on Saturday. 








TliE DEPARtMENT OF TItE iNTERIOR. 


115 


Evel‘;y nioriihig the various divusioiis ot‘ the oHice send to this division roiijih 
drafts ” or niemoranduuis, of the letters that have been written and sent from their 
respective divisions the i)revioii8 day. 

These “roughs^’ undergo something of a similar treatment to that of the letters re¬ 
ceived, above described. They are conveniently arranged and each stamped with a 
number. Then a brief, or “ abstract,’^ of them is recorded in a proper record book, 
and thorougldy indexed ; and the roughs preserved until they shall have been com¬ 
pletely copied in permanent record books prescribed for the purpose; then, opposite 
the brief, or ‘‘ abstract,’’ the number and page of the said record is noted and the 
rough itself destroyed. (Note: Comparison as to correctness is made from the press 
copy.) 

This division keeps books, as follows : 

(1) Record of letters received. 

(*2) Record of claims and contracts received. 

(2) Record of authorities received. 

(4) Record of miscellaneous reports received. 

(b) Record of letters sent (abstract). 

(()) Record of letters sent to Secretary of the Interior (full copy). 

(7) Record of letters sent to other persons (full copy). 

(8) Index to letters received. 

(9) Index to claims, Asc., received. 

(19) Index to authorities received. 

(11) Index to letters sent. 

Besides, for convenience, several auxiliary books, such as special record of reports 
of Indian inspectors, containing all reports up to December 31, 1880; special tile- 
book, containing memorandum of special files; that is, where many papers have been 
received in a case running for a number of years and no final disposition could be 
made of it, then the papers would be kept together in a “ special tile” until the mat¬ 
ter was finally disposed of- After final disposition these papers find their way to the 
jilaces where they jiroperly belong. 

In indexing papers the card-index system has been adopted. Each card represents 
a name or a subject, with the number of the letter to which it refers. 

Every few days these cards are separated—first, in alphabetical order, and second, 
in combinations of the second letter. They are arranged in convenient order for 
searching purposes, and transferred to the permanent index-books as rapidly as pos¬ 
sible. 

The work of this division is purely initiative but not administrative. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specified below in the files and records division of vhe Indian Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Character of hnsincs.s. 

Q 

<x> 

Uco 

.5 

P 

0; 

Ph 

a 

o 

M'■-X) 

•S* 

0 

1 Transacted 

1 and disposed 

1 of in 1884. 

d 

cz 

^ iO 

P rH 

^ r-T 

Ph 

a> 

I 

1 Transacted 
' and disposed 

1 of in 1885. 

During year 
1886. 

1 Tran s a c t e d 

1 and disposed 

i of in 1886. 

Up to Mar. 1, 

I 1887. 

! Disposed of up 

I to Mar. 1,1887. 

i 

T-effpra rpcp.ive.it . .. ... 


24, 956 



31,188 


34, 621 


5, 583 




J 5:n 



3 ’ 963 


4i 5.56 


467 


..... 

A iit|inrit . . 


2, 379 



2 ’ 504 


2 ' 6G0 


407 


Mia<>,p1Iaiipons reports received. 


g! 59G 

37, 463 


7, 321 

44, 97G 

7, 320 

49,157 

1,141 

7, 598 

T.e.ttera ae.nt, .. ..... ...._ 


17,400 

17, 490 


20,123 

20,123 

23, 927 


3, 842 

Itecoidin;; of letters sent in perma- 







neut records *. 

9, 75(^ 

17, 400 


27,150 

20,143 

. 

23, 927 

23, 927 

3,842 

3,842 


Letters disposed of from January J, 1884, to March 1,1887. 5, 500 

Approximate amount on hand and undisposed of March 1, 1887. 09, 5G2 


*It is impossible to oven approximate, with any accuracy, the amount of this class of work per¬ 
formed in any year since January 1, 1884 ; hut the above statement will show (piite coi-rectly (approx¬ 
imated) the amount done from January 1, 1884, to March 1, 1887. 






















































116 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE iNTERtOK. 


The Ibllowhig statement shows the averaj^e amonnt and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, l>y the enipioyds in 
the files and records division of the Indian OMice, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

1 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

j Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 










! 

■ 



Letters received. 

2,149 

1,912 

2,172 

2, 089 

2, 096 

*1, 838 

2, 227 

2,102 

2,154 

2, 176 

1,951 

2, 090 

Claims received. 

213 

132 

148 

164 

226 

245 

356 

278 

457 

774 

282 

2 c 6 

Authorities received. 

200 

203 

194 

192 

194 

172 

219 

213 

241 

182 

161 

208 

Miscellaneous reports re- 













ceived. 

485 

657 

529 

480 

617 

482 

602 

443 

552 

647 

558 

545 

Letters sent. 

1,538 

1, 421 

1, 509 

1, 552 

1,414 

1, 348 

1, 559 

1, 399 

1,498 

1,409 

1,178 

1,575 

1885. 













Letters received. 

2, 050 

2 , 211 

2, 371 

2, 922 

2,459 

2,405 

2, 984 

2, 730 

2, 721 

2, 839 

2, 722 

2,774 

Claims received. 

225 

176 

177 

236 

203 

286 

201 

415 

655 

683 

369 

337 

Authorities received. 

211 

219 

236 

235 

191 

182 

228 

231 

167 

225 

189 

190 

Miscellaneous reports re- 













ceived .. 

621 

542 

466 

638 

714 

484 

502 

694 

583 

672 

659 

746 

Letters sent. 

1,629 

1,384 

1, 674 

1,837 

1,362 

1,505 

1, 975 

1,668 

1,831 

1,816 

1,465 

1,977 

1886. 













T.etteT’s reepired . 

3,152 

3, 013 

2, 794 

2,709 

2, 683 

2, 753 

3,193 

2, 849 

2, 936 

2. 997 

2 677 

2 865 

Claims received. 

225 

156 

200 

'207 

' 246 

■ 389 

274 

'408 

'800 

730 

'436 

*425 

Authorities received. 

185 

220 

245 

268 

195 

158 

240 

220 

198 

312 

188 

231 

Miscellaneous reports re- 













ceived . 

552 

552 

722 

511 

646 

557 

637 

602 

551 

687 

578 

725 

Letters sent. 

2 , 266 

1,866 

2 , 068 

2 , 226 

1,926 

1,885 

1, 907 

1,912 

1, 981 

2,249 

1,663 

1, 978 

1887. 













Letters leceived. 

2, 982 

2 , 601 











Claims received. 

’ 278 

' 189 











Authorities received_ 

217 

190 











Miscellaneous reports re- 













ceived. 

571 

570 











Letters sent. 

2, 098 

1,750 








.j 



! 







1 



The following statement shows the average number of employes in the files and 
records division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified : 


Calendar year. 


1884 .. 

1885 . 

1886 .. , 

1887 (to March 1) 



Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J uue. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 


6.6 

6.6 

6.9 

6.6 

5.7 

6.5 

5 7 

7.4 

8.6 

8.8 

9.6 

7.8 




7. 3 

7.2 

6 7 

7 , 3 

7.8 

7 7 

7.8 


5. 6 


6.8 

5.4 


6.7 

6.4 

6.9 

6.0 

5.6 

0 . o 
6.6 

6.9 

6.4 

6.2 

5.6 

8.9 

8.5 



6.4 

5.4 






















Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employe doing the most and the employ6 doing the least durin*- 
the periods specilied, in the files and recoials division of the Indian Office, Depart^ 
ment of the Interior. ’ 


It is utterly im[>ossible to answer this. No time of individual work has been kept, 
and it would be impractica,l))e to do so. While each clerk his a particular desk and 
line of work assigned, it often hapiiens that the entire force of the division is emrao-ed 
on the same piece of work ; and besides, the work of each desk is so interwoveir^^tti 
that of another that to disentangle it would be impossible. 

A personal I'xamination would soon convince a skeptic of this statement. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the (iles and records division in the Indian Office De- 
})artmcnt of the Interior : ^ ' 


Calendar year. 

Number of em- 
liloyes. 

Average num¬ 
ber of days 
pre.sent. 

Average Num¬ 
ber of hours 
employ’d daily. 

1884 . 

7 7 


6 . 02 
6.16 

1885 . 

1886 . 

'15 

7*1. 

J04. ^ 

270 3 
275.8 
46.7 

1887 (to March 1). 

• 3t* 

■ 7 

6 . 29 
6 . 56 






































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


117 


1 bo tollowiug statemeuli shows tho maximum number of days devoted to business by 
the employ^ present ior the greatest number of days, and also the minimum number of 
days devoted to business by the employ^ present for tlie least number of days in the 
hies and records division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

188G. 

1887 

(to Max'd! 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

276i ' 
25131 

OfiOL 

OQr^a 


Minimum number of davs. 

253| 


AA^ 

.. . . 




LAND AND LAW DIVISION. 

Report of the land and law division, Indian Office, on the methods of business and work, as 
requested bij Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 


A statistical statement of the work performed by^ the land and law division of the 
Indian Office will be found appended hereto. 

The resjionsible, intricate, and complex cliaracter of the duties of this division ren¬ 
der it almost impossible to give even an approximate estimate of the ainount or an 
idea of the varied nature and character of the work performed by' its clerical force. 

All questions relating to Indian lands are subjects for tho determination of this 
division, many of which require an examination of the oHicial records liack for forty 
and sixty years; in some cases as far back as the earliest treaties made by' the Gov¬ 
ernment with various Indian tribes, and even back to treaties made between the col¬ 
onies and the Indians. 

All questions of law involved in the management and civilization of the Indians 
are considered and determined here, such as their lands; their internal and external 
affairs; their legal attitude and status among themselves, or with reference to the 
whites; conflicts between the local laws and customs of a tribe and the State laws 
and between the State and Federal laws; questions of citizenship ; guard'anship ; 
crimes; misdemeanors; jurisdiction; how far Indians are s Jjject, to their own laws and 
customs, and how far they are amenable to State and Feileral law; intruders and 
trespassers; prosecution of persons guilty of tho sale of whisky lo Indians; taxation; 
water rights; right of way for railroads through reservations; cattle grazing; con- 
vey'ancesof laud; contracts with Indians; sale of timber; allotments; patents; Execu¬ 
tive orders establishing reservations; the construction ol’ireaties aud acts of Congress, 
and many other questions not necessary to enumerate here. Many oftbe.se questions 
require an examination of the deci.sions of the district, circuit, and Supreme Courts of 
the United States, and of the A'arious State courts, as well as an examination of the 
various text-books and the application of tho priucijiles and rules laid down therein. 

In addition to these, many other matters are con-stantly and necessarily arising in 
the transition of the Indian from the semi-civilized to the civilized state. As the 
Indian advances toward civilization he naturally arrives at a better understanding 
as to his rights, aud when those rights are infringed or trespassed upon, ho appeals 
to the Government for protection. 

Numerous original bills and reports are prepared here aud transmitted to Congress, 
and nearly every bill originating in either house of Congress relating to Indian 
lands or the status of tho Indian is referred to this office for information and re¬ 
port, aud the President seldom affixes his signature to a measure which has pa.ssed 
Congress relating to Indian matters without it first having been referred to this office 
for reiiort. 

No idea can be formed of the amount and character and the labor necessary to 
perform the work of this division without i>ersonal examination aud inspection. 

Some cases reqiiwe days aud sometimes weeks of record and legal research in com- 
2 )iling data necessary to the preparation of a single letter, many of which cover from 
twenty' to one hundred pages. No record has been or can be kept of the amount and 
character of work performed by any emjiloyd. Hardly an.v of the correspoudence is 
of a routine nature. Each subject is separate and distinct and must be considered 
and determined by the particular treaty or law within Avliich it may come. Many 
cases require immediate action and the exercise of sound judgment and dijicretiou. 
One emi>loy^ may prepare several letters in a day, while another may jirepare none, 
and the next day it may be vice versa. 

A letter of a few lines may require several days to make proper answer. 

I desire to call attention to tho fact that all the work w'ith which the civilization 
division of this Burea i w'as charged, except matters pertaining to licensed traders 

















118 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


aod the examiuatiou and settlement of depredation claims, was assigned to this di¬ 
vision on September 1, 1885, since which time all that work, in addition to the reg¬ 
ular work ot the division, has been performed without additional clerical force. 

The act recently passed, providing for the allotment of laud in severalty to the 
Indians, will necessarily very largely increase the work of this division. 

Land mast be surveyed, field-notes and plats copied, allotments made, scheduh's 
])repared, tract-books opened, patents issued and recorded, with all the corn spond- 
euce incident thereto. 

Ai)artfrom the absorption of the civilization division a vast amount of additional 
labor has within the past few years been entailed on this division, owing to the rapid 
extension of the railroad system throughout the country and consequent construc¬ 
tion of railroads through Indian reservations. 

The act of Congress of March 3, 1875, granting to railroads the right of way through 
the public lands of the United States specially excepts from the operations of its pro¬ 
visions, inter alia, Indian reservations, unless the right of way shall have been i>ro- 
vided for by treaty stipulation or by act of Congress theretofore passed. 

Whenever, therefore, an application is made lor a right of way through an Indian 
reservation—and such applications are getting to be quite numerous—relercnce has 
to be made to the treaty or other muniment of title under which the reservation was 
established, to ascertain its provisions (if any) in regafd to railroads and the proi)er 
method, which varies with the different cases, to be adopted in regard to obtaining 
such right of way and compensating the Indians for the same. 

From its inception down to the close a great amount of detail work is involved. 

The case of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway, constructed on (ho 
La Pointe or Bad> River Reservation in Wisconsin in 1884-’85 will serve as a practical 
illustration. 

In this case the treaty provides for the building of roads across the reservation on 
terms of just compensation to the Indians. 

This case went through the following successive steps : 


First, the general solicitor of tlio company writes to this office for information as to the manner of 
procuring the right of way. 

Application referred to this division; treaty examined ; and inquiry made in General Laud Office 
(railroad division) whether proofs of organization, &c., filed. 

General solicitor of the company fully instructed by letter. 

He wiitos to Department to inquire whether Congressional action is necessary. 

Keport to Secretary thereon, with information thar general solictor is already advised on the subject. 
Member of Congress telegraphs making Same inquiry. 

Telegram to him in reply. 

x\i)plication by company for authority to make preliminary survey on reservation. 

Ileport to Secretary thereon with recommendations. 

Donartrnent returns papers and grants authority. 

llailway company notified thereof, and agent instructed to consult Indians. 

Proofs of incorporation, &c., examined and tiled. 
x\gent reports result of council with Indians. 

Company notified to proceed with survey, and file maps, &c. 

Company applies for leave to proceed with work of construction pending completion of survey which 
isinterviipted by unexpected topographical difficulties. " ’ 

Report to Secretary recommending application be granted conditionally that company give bond of 
indemnity to secure compensation, &c. 

Department concurs and directs bond to bo taken. 

Bond prepared and transmitted to railway company for execution. 

Agent notified of action taken. 
xVgent reports Indians satisfied. 

Agent applies for permission for Indians whoso allotments are hitherto unapproved to cut and sell 
ties to railroad company. 

Report to Secretary with favorable recommendation. 

Department grants authority and agent iustructeil thereon. 

Company files map of definite location and bond. 

Papers examined and transmitted to Secretary for approval, with recommendation that a*^ 00 1 be 
directed to take necessary measures to adjust question of compensation t» Indians. ^ 

Department returns bond and map approved with instructious. 

Letter to agent instructing him as to his duties. 

Also to railway company advising it of action taken. 

Agent reports result of negotiations with Indians collectively and individually in resnect of com 
pensation for right of way, transmits preliminary ])apers, &c. 

Papers examined and reported to Secretary with recommendation for approval and authority to nei- 
tect negotiations on terms stipulated. ^ ^ 

Preparing agreement in reference to general right of way through unalloted lands, and same trans¬ 
mitted to agent for signature by t lie Indians. 

Company tpinsmits draft for $855.75, compensation agreed upon to Indians for general ri<qit of wav 
Report to Secretary therewith, with recommendation for deposit in Tn asur\ pendiusr co'innletinn ' 
Department concurs and directs deposit. ® ^ 

Formal agreement with Indians received, examined, and submitted to Secretary for annroval 
Agreement returned approved, and aiitbority granted for payment of compensation to Indian? 

Draft transmitted to agent for amount, and iaslriudions as to distribution. 

Agent transmits deeds from individual owners. 

Same examined and submitted to Secretary for approval of President, iu compliance with terms of 
t rcJit'V • 

Deeds returned approyedby President, records in office books, and sent to the company who has 
previously settled with the individual Indians direct. ^ j nas 


8 per 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


119 


The above statement ooly presents the principal steps taken in the case, and no 
mention is made of much incidental correspondence which arose. The matter was 
pending over one year. 

At first sight it would seem as if this was a very simple matter, but the foregoing 
outline of proceedings shows the amount of detail labor involved in one case alone. 

Again, take the cases of the difierent railways now in course of construction in 
the Indian Territory. A glance at the acts under which they are being built will 
suffice to show the work necessary to carry out these acts, particularly the clauses 
having reference to compensation and the adjustment thereof. In the case of the 
Southern Kansas Railway alone, where the Indians dissented from the terms of the 
act, the detail work has been enormous already. So also in the case of the Gulf, Col¬ 
orado and Santa F6 Railway, now being constructed through the Territory, with the 
prospect of equal labor in the Denison and Washita Valley, the Kansas and Arkansas 
Valley, the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf, the Saint Louis and San Francisco, the 
Fort Worth and Denver City, and the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railroads, all 
authorized by act of Congress to build in the Territory, and now jiending before this 
division. 

In the Western reservations, we have the Saint Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba, the 
Utah Midland, the Maricopa and Phmnix, the Rocky Fork and Cooke City, the Utah 
and Northern, the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul, the Dakota Central, the Du¬ 
luth, Superior and Michigan, and several other railroads in course of construction, all 
requiring more or less attention at successive steps, not to mention the Atlantic and 
Pacific and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad in the Indian Territory, with 
whom questions of damages to Indians are constantly arising. 

At the present writing there are between thirty and forty railroad cases before this 
division in various stages of completion, and all involving a great amount of cor¬ 
respondence and detail work. In fact, the railroad business in connection with In¬ 
dian reservations has increased of late years, and is of such a character as to almost 
occupy the time of one clerk exclusively to give it that attention which its impor¬ 
tance to the Indians demands. 

As another illustration I cite the following case : 

Kev. C. C. Painter, secretary Indian Eights Association, informs this office that adjacent to the Coa- 
hnila Eeservation, in California, there is a section of land within a railroad grant, which has always 
been occupied and used by the Indians for grazing purposes; that they are anxious to purchase the 
same, but cannot comply with the terms of the company; and that it is of the utmost importance that 
the Indians should have it, and hopes that something may be done at once to secure it to them. 

AVritten inquiry is made of the General Land Office as to the legal status of the section in question. 

Land Office replies that it is within the 30-mile indemnity limit of the grant to the Southern Pacific 
Kailroad Company, and appears on a list of selections made by the company, which list has not been 
acted upon. 

Case reported to the Secretary, with the recommendation that the matter be laid before the proper 
officers of the company, to see if it would not relinquish the section to the Government for the use of 
the Indians, or make such terms as would enable the Indians to purchase it. 

C. P. Jluntiugton replies to a letter written to Senator Stanford by Department, in accordance with 
foregoing suggestions, stating that the company would be inclined to do what the Secretary desired 
in the matter. 

Eeport is again made to the Secretary suggesting that if the company relinquishes this section, it 
can select another in lieu thereof. 

Commissioner of the General Land Office reports that Southern Pacific Eailroad Company, has 
filed a quit-claim deed to the section in question. 

A draft of an Executive order setting apart said section as an addition to the Coahuila Keserva- 
tion is then prepared and sent to the Department, with a report recommending that it be laid before 
the President for his signature. 

Executive order is received and copies made and sent to the General Land Office, to the agent of the 
Mission Indians, and to Eev. Mr. Painter. 

As an illustration of the labor involved in answering an apparently simple inquiry, 
I cite the following : 

A gentleman engaged in some literary work writes a letter of about a dozen lines asking certain in¬ 
formation relative to the Oneida, Stock’bridge, and Brothertown Indians in AVisconsin. 

A clerk searches the ancient files of the Office for more than two days, and prepares an answer which 
covers nearly five type-written pages. 

There are kept in this division the following books and records, viz: 

Register of letters received. 

►Subject index of letters received. 

Subject index of letters sent. 

Deed-books, where all deeds of conveyance of Indian lands are recorded. 

Tract-books, wherein a record of all allotments to Indians is made. 

Miscellaneous record wherein are recorded all contracts, agreements, &c., with 
Indians. 

Record of timber contracts and bonds. 

It will be observed by reference to the attached statistical statement that there 
has been a marked increase in the work of this division during the period covered by 
the request of the committee. 


120 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
The increase for the year 1886 over that of 1884 is, 


i . 

Number of letters received. 71 per cent. 

Number of letters sent. 45 per cent. 

Number of pages written. 58 per cent. 


Up to October, 1886, the draftsman of the Bureau was borne on the roll of em¬ 
ployes of this division, but, owing to the peculiar character of the work i)erformed 
by him, no account is taken thereof in the following statements. ’ ‘ 

Statement showing (1) the amount of business pending in the laud division of the 
Indian Office, for the year ending January 1,1884 ; (2) the amount of business re 
ceived during the year 1884; (3) the amount of business transacted during the year 
1834. Similar statistics respecting the years 1855 and 1886, and up to the 1st of 
March, 1887, as disclosed by the records of the office. 


Business. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Number of letters pending in the division January 1. 

257 
2, 823 

1,951 

260 
3, 669 

2,318 

241 
4, 851 

2, 827 

Number of letters and telegrams received in division during the year. 

Nnmber of letters and telegrams prepared and sent out from thohivisiou dur¬ 
ing the year............. 



Number of letters pending in the division January 1,1887. 491 

Number of letters pending in the division March 1,1887. 687 

(Some of these letters have been partially acted upon, but not finally disposed of.) 

Number of letters and telegrams received in division during the year 1887 . 836 

Number of letters and telegrams prepared and sent out from the division for the year up to March 
! 1,1887 (two months)...........’.. 475 


f 

Year. 

Pages by 
type-writer. 

"Written 

pages. 

I' 

Letters prepared........ 

1884 

1,250 

4,844 
2, 270 
666 
85 

.i Do ..*... 

1885 

3.014 
5,1.55 
872 

Do... 

1886 

Do. 

1887 

1 



Note.—M any letters received in the division recjuire no action, being answers to inquiries from the 
office, while others are transferred to other divisions, and in some cases answer to several letters is 
embraced in one, which will account for the difference in the number of letters received, the number 
written, and the number pending at the beginning of each year. 

Allowing one page by type-writer as equal to two and a quarter written pages (a 
tested fact) the staten^jut would be: 


Tear. 

Letters. 

Written 

pages. 

Year. 

Letters. 

Written 

pages. 

1884. 

1,951 
2, 318 

7, 657 
9,051 

1886. 

2, 827 
475 

12,265 
2,057 

1885. 

1887. 




Comparative statement. 

Number of letters received during the year 1885, 3,669; during the year 1834,2,823 ; 
showing an increase of 30 per cent.,'or 846. ' ' > 

Number of letters received during the year 1885, 4,851; during the year 1885,3,669; 
showing an increase of 31 9-10 per cent., or 1,182. i > 

Number of letters prepared during the year 1885,9,051 pages; during the year 1884, 
7,6.57; showing an increase of 18‘2-io per cent.,*or 1,394. ’ 

Number of letters, &c., prepared during the year 1886, 12,265 pages; during the 
year 1885, 9,051; showing an increase of 35J per ceqt.j or 3,214. * 





















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
General summafy showing per cent, of increase. 


121 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

Mar. 1, 
1887. 

Business pending January 1. 

Business received in the year. 

Per cent, of increase.. 

257 
2, 823 

260 

3,669 

SO. 

2,318 

18. 50 
9,051 
18.20 

241 

4, 851 
.31; 90 

1 2, 827 • 

21. 90 
12, 265 
35.50 

491* 

687* 

836 

Letters, &c., prepared and sent out for the year. 

Percent, of increase. 

1,951 


475 

Pages covered by letters written. 

Per cent, of increase.. 

7, 657 


2,047 






* Some of these letters have been partially acted upon, hut not finally disposed of. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the land di¬ 
vision of the Indian Office, during each month in the years 18S4, 1885, 1886, and 1887. 
up to March 1, 1887: ■ . . j 


Date. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

■t ■' 

On roll. 

At desk. 

On roll. 

At desk. 

On roll. 

At desk. 

On roll. 

I 

At desk. 

January. 

15 

14 

14 

1.3.3 

13 

12.5 

12 

9.75 

February.. 

15 

14.5 

14 

13.2 

13 

12 

12 

10 

March.;. 

15 

14.3 

14 

13. 6 

14 

1.3 

4 


April. 

14 

13. 5 

14 

13. 6 

13 
13 i 

12^ 



May. 

14 

13. 6 

14 

12. 5 

11 7 


June. 

14 

13 

14 

12. 2 

13 

12. 2 



J uly. 

14 

11. 8 

15 

12. 6 

13' 

11. 5 



Au^st. 

14 

11. 5 

15 

11. 5 

13' 

10 



September. 

14 

12 

15 

12. 7 

13 

8. 6 



October. 

>4 

11.3 

14 

12 

1 12 

' 9 



November. 

14 

12 

14 

12 

13 

11 



December. 

14: 

12. 5 

14 

13 

13 

ii;2 










. 


General average. 

14. 25 

12.8 

14. 25 

12.7 

13 

11. 26 

12 

9.9 


Note.— One clerh C. F. Larrahee, detailed for special service in the field from July 16, 1885, to Sep¬ 
tember 3, 1885, and from July ?8, 1886, to March 1, 1887, is carried on roll in above statement, but not 
in column of “ employes at desk.” 

The employ68 of the division consist of 1 chief, 4 corresponding clerks, 1 statistical and deed clerk, 
1 draftsman pip to October last), 1 file clerk, 1 register clerk, 1 index clerk, 2 type-writers, and 1 
copyist. I r, :‘Uc> 


The following statement shows the maximum and minimum number of days during 
each of the years 1884, 1885, and 1886, and up to March 1,1887, devoted to business by 
the employes in the land division of the Indian Office, present for the greatest num¬ 
ber of days, and also for theTeast number of days: 


■ , . 

1884. 

, i 

1885. 

. V 

1886. 

• 1 -. ’ r 

Possible Tinmber of days........ 

307 

301J 

,293 

'230 

305 

Mfl.viirmTn TinTriber of nays..........___ 

300i 

245i 

. -1 

288 

MieininTn Tinniher of days ______ 

250' 



* Up to March 1. 


Monthly statement of business prepared and sent out by land division, Indian Office. 



January. 

February. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

1 

1 November. 

1 

December. 

, Total. 

CD 

< 


141 

180 

158 

178 

197 

162 

223 

187 

138 

145 

100 

142 

1,951 

163 

1884^. 

769 

700 

649 

850 

615 

583 

852 

648 

588 

443 

328' 

632 

7,657 

638 

c 

191 

144 

168 

225 

243 

193 

169 

127 

163 

260 

185 

259 

2,318 

193 

1885? ■ 

676 

580 

551 

787 

941 

927 

796 

448 

608 

982 

769 

986 

9,051 

754 


226 

197 

282 

240 

301 

253 

226 

198 

224 

223 

234 

243 

2.827 

236 

1886^. 

974 

901 

1,293 

1,377 

1,311> 

1,013 

987 

986 

849 

936 

759 

8791 

12,265' 

1,022 

c 

2o8 

217 








1 :• 



475 

238 

1887 i . 

1,085 

962 











2,047 

1,024 

f. 














_The first line of figures opposite each year represents the number of letters prepared and sent 

out. The other line of figures represents the number of pages covered by ^aid letters. •: : » 
































































































































122 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


In conclusion,! desire to invite attention to the fact that the work incident to this 
division requires an immense amount of copying of which no account has been kept. 

As an illustration three cases are cited, viz: 

1st. Papers relating to the lands of the Black Bob Band of Shawnee Indians, C44 
pages type-written matter. 

‘2(1. Report of the Northwest Indian Commission, 133 pages of printed matter. 

3d. Testimony of Colonel Carrington, taken before a special commission in the spring 
of 1867, callvjd for by Senate resolution of February 11, 1887,146 pages of type-written 
matter. 

I am enabled to give the number of pages in the cases of the Black Bob Shawnee 
Indians, and the testimony of Colonel Carrington, from the fact that copies vyere made 
in duplicate (manifold), one copy of each being retained in the division for future 
use. 


EDUCATION DIVISION. 

Eejwrt of the education division, Indian Office, on the methods of business and work, as 
requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
‘23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the education divis¬ 
ion of the Indian Office, Dei^artment of lihe Interior. 

This division was organized September 1, 1885, and consisted of the chief of divis¬ 
ion, one clerk, and two copyists. 

In March, 1886, an additional clerk was assigned to it, and since that time the force 
has consisted of the chief of division, two clerks, and two copyists. 

The following is a general statement of the work of the division: 

All communications regarding the establishment and management of Indian schools 
are considered and acted upon. In the performance of this duty the question of plans 
and specifications for the erection of new school buildings and repairs of those already 
erected must be decided upon; the requests from agents ami superintendents of 
schools for authority to purchase supplies needed by the schools are considered, and 
the propriety of granting the authority is decided upon, and the question as to 
whether the condition of the appropriations available will warrant the expenditure 
is considered. The correspondence is necessarily of a miscellaneous character, cover¬ 
ing as it does not only the expenditure of money but all questions that arise in the 
management of Indian schools. 

To properly conduct the schools various employes, such as superintendents, teachers, 
seamstresses, cooks, laundresses, ifec., and teachers of various industries are required. 
The number and salaries of these positions vary with the necessities of each school. 
The positions and salaries allowed for the schools are determined in this division, and 
in considering the matter the attendance, industries taught, cost of living, and the 
condition of the appropriations available must be taken into account. 

Statistics of Indian schools are prepared in this division. These statistics give the 
name and location of all Indian schools, how they are supported, the school popula¬ 
tion, capacity and the number of employ(Ss at each school, the attendance, number of 
months in session, cost to the Government, and cost j)er capita per month. Also the 
names, positions, salaries, kind of service, salary per annum, and amount paid each 
employd at Indian schools conducted by the Government. 

Contracts for educating Indian piquls are determined upon and the contracts !>re¬ 
pared. 

Quarterly reports of attendance at each school are examined and recorded. 
Monthly reports of issues and expenditures on account of each school are analyzed 
and recorded. 

Reports of inspectors and special agents on schools arc recorded and suitable action 
taken on each case. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the education 
division of the Indian Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or 
more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning 
with the receipt of the business matter in the oftice, and then showing in consecu¬ 
tive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whoso 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the ac¬ 
tion thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

All papers received in the Indian Office which pertain in any manner to Indian 
schools are referred to this division. When they are received from the files division 
each letter is entered on a register, which shows the file number, date of receptio, 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


123 


in the Indian Ofhce, date ol reception in the division, the party from whom received, 
and the subject of the letter. This register has columns in which the date of action 
and the nature of such action are entered after the letters have be<en disposed of. 
After the letters are entered they are read the chief of division, who directs what 
action shall be taken, and it the action involves any expenditure of money for arti- 
ticles needed in the schools, or calls-for supplies furnished under contract, the letter 
is transferred to the finance division, approved, either in whole or in part. 

SCHOOL E:M‘PL0YES. 

All agents and superintendents of schools not under control of agents are required, 
during the last quarter of the fiscal year, to submit an estimate of the positions and 
salaries which are deemed necessary for properly carrying on the schools under their 
charge during the coming fiscal year. When those are received in the division, the 
question of providing employes for the schools and the salaries of each is considered. 
The attendance of each school as shown by the last quarter’s rejiort, the probable 
increase or decrease during the next year, the appropriations available, the reports 
of inspectors and special agents, and any other information available regarding each 
school, are all factors which enter into the determination of what force will be nec¬ 
essary. 

The list of positions and salaries are then entered into a book, showing each school 
separately, and transmitted to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior for his approval. 
When the Secretary has approved the list it is returned to the Indian Office, and after 
receiving its proper file mark is sent to this division. A letter is then sent to each 
agent or superintendent having charge of schools informing them of the positions 
and compensations allowed, and instructions are given to forward, as soon after July 
1 as possible, nominations of persons to fill the positions (except such as have been 
or are to bo appointed by this office), such nominations to be submitted on a blank 
descriptive list, showing the name, position, compensation, sex, race, age, social 
condition, where born, whence appointed, and previous occupation of each person 
nominated. 

When the nominations are received they are'referred to this division, where each 
list of nominations is carefully examined and compared with the list of employds 
authorized, in order to ascertain whether the nominations agree as to positions and 
salaries. If found correct, the names, with the information on the descriptive list, 
are recorded in a record of school employes. A letter is then written to the j)roper 
officer informing him that his nominations are approved. If the nominations are not 
in accordance with the authorized positions and salaries, they are returned for cor¬ 
rection, with a letter noting the defects. 

Changes in school employes .—When the service of any school employ6 terminates, 
from any cause, the facts in the case are submitted to the Indian Office on the descrip¬ 
tive list, giving the date and the reason of such termination. The name of a person 
to fill a vacancy is usually submitted at the same time. The information required in 
each case is the same as is required in the annual list of nominations. The report of 
change in employ6s is compared with the record, in order to ascertain if the person 
whose service terminates appears upon the roll, and if the nomination is in accord¬ 
ance with the authorized list. If found correct, the changes are entered in the 
record of school employds, and notice is sent of the approval. 

IRREGULAR EMPLOYES. 

At some of the schools, under certain circumstances, it is necessary to employ tem- 
Iiorary labor, mostly Indian, and such labor is reported at the end of each month on 
a blank provided for the purpose, showing the character of the service, the necessity 
for it, the number of days employed, the rate of compensation, the amount paid, and 
the name of the xierson employed. Such reports, when received in this division are 
scrutinized for the purpose of ascertaining the necessity for the work, the reason¬ 
ableness of the com^iensation, and if computations are correct. 

If any white labor axipears on the report a letter is written to Hon. Secretary of 
the Interior, asking authority to expend the amount involved. When the authority 
is received in this division a letter is.written, approving of the expenditure, as shown 
by the reiiort. 

Inspectors’ and special agents’ rcpo7’/s.—These reports are recorded, the recommenda¬ 
tions and suggestions considered ; and the attention of the jierson having supervision 
of the school called to anything requiring action, with instructions to take the neces¬ 
sary steps to increase the efficiency of the schools. 

Contracts for education of Indian pupils. —These contracts are prepared (5 copies of 
each) in this division, and sent to the party of the second part for signature. When 
they are returned they are forwarded to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior for his 
approval. 


124 


THE'DEPARTMENl OF THE INTERIOR. 


Quarterly reports of school employes. —A qiiarh-rly re}K)rt is (j iiiicd Irom eacli ageut, 
giving, on a blank provided for the purpose, the name, position, school at which em¬ 
ployed, period of service, rate of pay, and total amount ]>ai<l each scliool oniploy<^. 
This is examined and the amounts for em[)loyf‘s lor each school is recorded in the 
Record of Indian School Statistics. 

Quarterly reporf^t of attendance, —Each school, wlietlu r Government or contract, 
must furnish a quarterly report, giving the names, jtositions, and salaries of all em- 
ployds, and the name, tribe, age, and sex, of every pnj)il, with information as to the 
increase or decrease in pupils during the (inarter, and a, statement as to the total 
amount of subsistence issued. These are examined and entered in the Record of In¬ 
dian School Statistics. 

This"report is referred to in the settlement of the accsinuts of agents, for the pnr- 
I)ose of ascertaining that the issues are in accordance with the attendance. 

Montltly reports of issues and expenditures. —Each Government school furnishes 
monthly reports of issues and expenditures, giving, on a blank provided for the pur¬ 
pose, the name, quantity, price, and cost of each article, and whether furnished under 
contract, purchased in open market, or raised by the pupils of the school. These 
reports are analyzed and the articles issued are arranged under the headings of “ sub¬ 
sistence, clothing, school materials, school furnishings, buildings and repairs, fuel and 
light, and miscellaneous.” The cost of each class of supplies as thus arranged is then 
entered for each month in the Record of Indian School Statistics. 

‘ All papers received in this division after receiving proper attention, are returned 
to the files division, after the action on each and the date of action are entered on 
the register of letters received. 

The following statement shows the amount aud character of business received, trans¬ 
acted', and'disposed of during the i)eriod, and on hand, pending, aud undisposed of at 
theidates specified below, in the education division of the Indian Office, Department 
of the Interior, from September 1, 1885, date of organization of division : 


Character of business. 

Calendar 

year. 

During 

calendar 

year. 

Trans¬ 
acted and 
disposed 
of. 

Letters received.... 

ISS.T 

2, 293 
7. 477 
1,264 

2, 293 
7, 477 
1,264 

Do.. 

1886 

Do. 

*1887 



* To March. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the education division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of busi- 
' ness. 

Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Doc. 

Pages of letters 
written__ 

1885 

1886 
1887 









411 

601 

358 

458 

282 

312 

266 

420 

Do. 

Do. 

307 

417 

173 
323 ‘ 

256 

398 

187 

296 

390 

466 













The statistics and other material for the report of the superintendent of Indian 
schools were also prepared in'this division. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the education 
division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885 . 









3 

5 

3 

5 

3 

5 

3 

5 

1886 . 

3 

5 

3 

5 

3 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

1887 (to March 1). 


























































































TttE BEt^ARTMENT OV TttE INTERIOR. 


125 


As to the maxiiiiuiii and niiniinnin ainouut of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing the most and the einployd doing the least during the periods 
specilied in the education division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, 
the misccllaneons character of the work of this division precludes the possibility of 
giving any definite information as to the amount of work done by any individual 
employd. 

^ The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied by the employ6s in the education division of the Indian Office, Department of the 
Interior: 


Caleudar v’ear. 

Employes. 

Average 

days 

present. 

Average 

hours 

employed 

daily. 

1885*. 

3 

290 

7 

1886.. 

5 

1 392 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

5 

236 

7 


* Division created September 1, 1885. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ6 present for the least number of days 
in the education division of the Indian Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods sjiecified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Maximum numher of days. 


103i 

85i 

296 

48 

Miscellaneous. 

Minimum numher of days. 


271 

45 

Do. 




The division was organized on September 1, IBS."); consequently these figures are for 
four months only. 


LICENSED INDIAN TRADERS. 


The clerk in charge of matters relating to licensed Indian traders does not belong 
to any one of the regular divisions of the office, but is assigned to the office of the 
Assistant Commissioner. 

At almost every agency in the service from one to six traders are licensed to live 
upon the reservation and keep stores for supplying the Indians with such goods as they 
may desire to purchase, the kind and ([uality of goods kept being specified by this 
office. The number of traders licensed upon any reservation is now determined by 
the gross amount of annual trade, and the limit of profit which may be realized from 
goods sold to Indians is lixed by this office. Schedules of prices, classifying the 
goods kept, and fixing the ])rofit which maybe realized upon the different classes, are 
sent to every agent having licensed traders under his jurisdiction. 

A license to trade is granted for one year only, and if the trader remains it must be 
renewed yearly. 

The regulations governing licensed traders are to be found in the Regulations of 
the Indian Department for 1884, sections 544 to 576, and also in several circular let¬ 
ters issued since the compilation of the above Regulations. 

When an application for license to trade is received it is marked with the letters 
A. C. (showing* that it is to be considered in the Assistant Commissioner’s office) and 
sent to the Files, where it is stamped and registered. It is tlien sent to the clerk 
in charge of traders’ matters, where it is placed in a file jacket, with the recommenda¬ 
tions of the applicant, ])roperly marked and filed. Before a license is issued the ap¬ 
plicant is required to give a bond in the sum of $10,000 to insure a compliance with 
the laws and regulations governing trade and intercourse with the Indians. 

Besides keeping on file all bonds of licensed traders and applicants for license the 
clerk in charge of these matters makes out all licenses, has charge of the preparation 
of all correspondence upon the subject for signature, examines the reports of United 
States Indian agents, special agents in the field, and inspectors, in order to collect 

































126 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. ’ 


aud bring forward for official action all matter in tlieni relating to Indian traders and 
the Indian trade. He has also the consideration of all charges preferred against In¬ 
dian traders and the prejiaration of instructions to agents and special agents directed 
to investigate the same. 

Every licensed trader (except those among the five civilized tribes) is required to 
forward monthly all invoices of goods purchased. The trader’s clerk is required to 
examine these invoices^ and if they are ap 2 )roved they are sent to the general files of 
the office, subject to inspection at anytime. 

Matters relating to trading licenses and the regulation and control of traders involve 
a great deal of correspondence. There are frequent charges of violation of the inter¬ 
course laws and the Rules and Regulations of the office which require thorough in¬ 
vestigation and close consideration in order that justice may be done. It is some¬ 
times necessary, in order to rid the Indian country of improper jiersons who refuse to 
comiily with the requirements imposed or whose presence ujion the reservations is 
detrimental to the civilization of the Indians, to revoke the license of Indian traders 
and remove them with their effects from the reservation. In such cases, besides a 
thorough consideration of all facts bearing upon the matter, great care and judgment 
is necessary in the preparation of the correspondence, &c., in order that as little 
liecuuiary loss as possible may result from the removal. 

Besides jierforming the duties mentioned the same clerk makes the semi-monthly 
pay-rolls of the Indian Office, keeps the time rolls, showing the absences of all clerks 
in the office, aud renders a monthly report to the Secretary of the Interior. In addi¬ 
tion he performs such occasional miscellaneous duties as attending to the weekly issue 
of stationery, ojieuing and marking the corresiiondence received, tfee. 


BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 


Eeport of the Bureau of Pensious on the methods of huslness and u'orlc, as requested hy 
Senate Select Committee, aud called for hy DepartmerU circular of March 23, 1887. 


Department of the Interior, 

Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, 

Washington, D. C., April 6, 1887. 

Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith reports from the several divisions of 
this Bureau embodying the information called for in departmental circular of the 
23d of March, for the use of the Senate Select Committee appointed to inquire into 
and examine the methods of the business aud work of the Executive DeiJartments. 

The information is as conqilete as can be made at this time with the records at 
hand, and in instances where the information is not com])lete, I have directed that 
the reasons therefor be given by the chiefs of the divisions. 

The Commissioner respectfully suggests that in some instances it has been found 
advisable—notably in regard to questions of annual leave, aud sick leave, &c.—to 
divide the period for which the report is made into fiscal years rather than into cal¬ 
endar years; for the reason that the force allotted by law to the iierformance of these 
duties has varied with the fiscal years under the several acts of approijriation. 

The Commissioner respectfully submits that any standard of efficiency or excel¬ 
lence which is based alone upon the number of cases disposed of by any employd in 
the Bureau would be unjust, owing to the fact that the cases disposed of vary so ma¬ 
terially ill their character. A single case often has more hard work in it, and re¬ 
quires a more thorough aud patient study, and the exercise of more judicial acumen, 
than a dozen cases of another aud different type. 

The Commissioner calls attention in particular to the report of the chief clerk as 
exhibiting the progress of a case through the Bureau, and as exhibiting the general 
working force of the office, with appropriate remarks. And, finally, the Commissioner 
challenges attention with genuine satisfaction, to the report of the certificate divis¬ 
ion as showing the great increase in the output of the Bureau, although a reduction 
has been made in the clerical force thereof, as shown by Table A, since the first day 
of January, 1884, of 128 employds, according to statutory allowance. 

Very respectfully, 


JOHN C. BLACK. 


lion. L. Q. C. Lamar, 

Secretary of the Interior, 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


127 


OFFICE OF THE CUIEF CLERK. 


Report oftbe chief clerk, Bureau of Peusious, ou the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23,1887. 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
JVasMngton, D. C., April 4, 1887. 

Sir : I have the honor to present my report showing the number of days devoted 
to the consideration and transaction of the public business” by the employes of the 
Bureau of Pensions during the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and up to March 1, 1887, and 
“ the number of days devoted to the business” of the Bureau “ by the employd pres¬ 
ent for the greatest number of days and the employd present for "the least number of 
days during the same period.” 

it is impracticable to report the average number of days and the maximum and 
minimum number of days devoted to the consideration and transaction of the public 
business during the said period by the employds in each division of the Bureau. No 
division time records have been kept, but the daily and weekly reports from the dif¬ 
ferent divisions of the Bureau are consolidated, and the record of the time of the en¬ 
tire clerical force arranged in alphabetical order by the chief clerk. 

Attached will also be found a report showing the number of cases in the admitted 
files, in charge of the chief clerk, ou January 1,1884, January 1, 1885, January 1,1886, 
January 1, 1887, and on March 1, 1887, together with the number of cases filed, year 
by year, from January 1, 1884, up to March 1, 1887. 

There are no records at my disposal from which I can report the number of cases 
actually drawn from the tiles by the different divisions prior to January 1, 1886, since 
which date I am enabled to report the number of cases drawn and the number filed 
mouth by month. 

I also ])resent a tabulated statement showing the number of certificates of disabil¬ 
ity on tile January 1, 1884, the number received month by month, and the number 
applied to pension cases up to March 1, 1887. 


I am, sir, very respectfully. 


Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


D. I. MURPHY, 

Chief Cleric. 


The time and attention to business by employes in the Bureau of Pensions. 


[Fiscal year 1883-’84. Number of employes authorized by law, 1,548.] 


Date. 


1884. 

January.. 

February.. 

March.. 

April. 

May. 

June. 


Number of 
employes per 
mouth. 

"Working days in 
month. 

Total working 
days of whole 
force. 

Time lost. 

Actual time of 
entire force. 

Average work¬ 
ing days per 
year or parts 
thereof. 

I—* 

cc 

P 

P 

A 

o 

35 

O 

H ■ 

1,546 
1, 547 
1,546 

1.545 

1.546 
1,545 

26 

24 
26 
26 
26 

25 

40,196 
37,128 
40,196 
40,170 
40,196 
38, 625 

2,163 
2,148 
2, 330 
2, 091 

2, 779 

3, 080 

794 
879 
1,072 
1,103 
1, 031 
1,126 

2, 957 

3, 027 
3,402 
3,194 

3, 810 

4, 206 















*1, 545.83 


236, 511 

14, 591 

6, 005 

20, 596 

21.5,915 

139.67 










































128 the department oe the interior. 

t 


The time and attention to business by employes in the Bureau 0 /Pe/isjOHS-^-Coiitinned. 


[Fiscal year 1884-’85. Number of employes authorized by law, 1,675.] 



0 <1^ 

P. 

.9 

Total working 

days of whole 

force. 

Time lost. 

Date. 

N umber 
employes 
month. 

• 

Workingda 

month. 

Annual. 

Sick. 

Total. 

1884. 

July. 

1,523 

26 

39, 598 

3,247 

1,417 

4, 664 

August. 

1,520 

25 

38, 000 

6, 285 

1, 524 

7, 809 

September. 

1,588 

26 

41, 288 

4, 288 

1, 550 

5, 838 

October. 

1, 649 

27 

44, 523 

5,316 

2, 343 

7, 659 

November. 

1,663 

24 

39, 912 

5, 894 

2, 004 

7, 898 

December. 

1, 667 

26 

43, 342 

3, 726 

1, 614 

5, 340 

1885. 

January. 

1,663 

26 

43, 238 

1, 032 

1,949 

2, 981 

February. 

1, 664 

21 

34, 944 

998 

1, 558 

2, 556 

March. 

1,659 

24 

39,816 

1,518 

1,870 

3, 388 

April. 

1,659 

26 

43,134 

766 

1,266 

2, 032 

May. 

1,632 

23J 

38, 352 

1,258 

900 

2, 158 

June. 

1,600 

26 

41, 600 

1,252 

736 

1, 988 


*1, 623. 92 


487, 747 

35, 580 

18, 731 

54, 311 



c3 .b 

■sg 

<1 


433, 436 


<1 


266. 90 


[Fiscal year 1885-86. Number of employ63 authorized by law, 1,675.] 


1885. 

July. 

1,484 

26 

38, 584 

2,549 

398 

2, 947 

August. 

1,484 

26 

38, 584 

6,022 
5, 271 

610 

6, 632 

September. 

1,500 

26 

39, 000 

1,013 

763 

6, 284 

October. 

1, 501 

27 

40, 527 

3, 639 
2, 276 

4, 402 

November. 

1, 506 

24 

36,144 

706 

2, 982 

December. 

1,520 

26 

39, 520 

3, 540 

664 

4, 204 

1886. 

January . 

1, 535 

25 

38, 375 

475 

940 

1,415 

February . 

1,533 

23 

35,259 

595 

792 

1,387 

March. 

1,520 

27 

41, 040 

- 625 

1,833 

2,458 

April. 

1, 515 

26 

39, 390 

938 

1,014 

1, 952 

May... 

1,513 

25 

37, 825 

1,328 

892 

2, 220 

June. 

1, 528 

26 

39, 728 

1, 280 

489 

1,769 


*1, 511.58 


463, 976 

28, 538 

10,114 

38, 652 


425,324 


281. 38 


[Fiscal year 1886-’87. Number of employ6s authorized by law, 1,547.] 


1886. 

July.. 

August.. 

September. 

October.. 

November. 

December. 


1887. 

January . 

February. 


1,515 
1,504 
1,512 
1, 512 
1,523 
1, 535 

26 

26 

26 

26 

24 

25 

39,390 
39,104 
39, 312 
39, 312 
36, 552 
38, 375 

3, 586 
7, 935 
6,637 

4, 624 
2,417 
3,269 

942 

998 

1,120 

901 

817 

674 

4, 528 
8, 933 
7, 757 
5,525 
3,234 
3, 943 



*1, 516. 83 


232, 045 

28, 468 

5, 452 

33, 920 

198,125 

130. 63 

1,538 
1, 539 

25 

23 

38, 450 
35, 397 

581 

654 

964 

854 

1, 545 
1,508 



*1,538.50 


73, 847 

1, 235 

1,818 

3, 053 

70,794 

46. 02 

tl,522.25 


305,892 

29, 703 

7,270 

36, 973 

268, 919 

176.65 


Average. 


t Average eight months, July 1, 1886, to February 28, 1887. 













































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


129 


The following statement shows the average number of clays and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business by the employes of 
the Bureau of Pensions during the years named : 


Fiscal year.* 

Average 
number of 
days. 

In person 
or by proxy. 

Number 
authorized 
by law. 

Number 

actually 

employed. 

January 1,1884, to June 30,1884. 

139. 67 

In person. 

....do. 

1,548 

1,675 

1,675 

1,547 

1, 5451 

1, 623H 
1. 511x^2 
1, 522i 

July 1, 1884, to june 30,1885. 

266. 9 

July 1.1885, to June 30,1880. 

281. 38 

- _ do..... 

July 1,1886, to March 1,1887. 

176. 65 

_do. 


* This table is arranged according to fiscal years because of the variation in the clerical force pro¬ 
vided by the appropriation bills. 


The following statement shows the number of days devoted to business by the em- 
ploy4 present for the greatest number of days, and employ6 present for the least num¬ 
ber of days, in the Bureau of Pensions during the years named: 


Fiscal year. 

Maximum 
number 
of days. 

Minimum 
number 
of days. 

.Tarmary 1,1884, to June .30, 1884 ...... 

156 

6 

•Inly 1, i 884, to Juno 30, 1 88.5______ 

313 

43 

July 1,1886, to J une 30,1886_................................................ 

311 

124 

July 1 1886 to March 1,1887. 

207 

59 



Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the admitted files 
section of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 

The business of the admitted files consists in arranging all admitted pension cases 
by class and number in the files, and in furnishing them when called for by proper 
authority. The section is now under the supervision of the chief clerk. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the admitted 
files section of the Bureau of Pensions, in the Department of the Interior, includ¬ 
ing one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the section, and then showing 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business 
matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employ6s through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Upon the allowance* of claims for pension the cases are sent to the admitted files, 
where they are classified (invalid, widows, <fec.) and arranged according to number 
in bundles which are securely strapped, labeled, and put in proper place in the files. 
When a case is required for any purpose by an officer of the Bureau or by a chief of 
division, or when an application is filed for increase, reissue, restoration, &c., it is 
charged upon a slip to the person making the call. This slip takes the place of the 
case in the files and remains there until the case is returned. 

The following statement shows'the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the admitted files (in charge of chief clerk) divis¬ 
ion of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1884. 

Keceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Pending Jan- 
1, 1880. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

a 

cS 

1* 

a 

<£ 

pH 

Received up 
to March 1, 
1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1, 1887. 

. Invalid cases. 

255, 360 

27,122 

282, 482 

33, 036 

315, 518 

29, 635 

345,153 

5, 334 

350,487 

"Widows and depend- 










ent cases. 

203, 744 

7, 200 

210, 944 

8, 233 

219,177 

9,760 

228, 937 

1, 999 

230, 936 


4402 INT-9 





















































130 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of hisiness received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specitied below, in the admitted tiles (in charge of chief clerk),'divis¬ 
ion of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 


1886. 

January . 

February. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October . 

November./. 

December. 


1887. 

January. 

February. 


Cases 

drawn. 


Cases filed. 


Evidence 

applied. 


Total. 


34, 200 
30, 238 
34, 206 
31,088 
23,187 

25, 308 
22, 557 

26, 788 
28, 529 

27, 457 
25, 676 
22, 791 


332, 025 


26, 867 

21, 899 
23, 432 

22, 025 
20,330 
20, 244 
17,350 
20, 787 
22, 810 
19, 748 
19, 855 
18, 087 


253, 434 


3, 446 

3, 656 
6, 731 

15, 714 
26, 098 
6, 287 
5, 377 
993 
5, 556 

4, 277 
2, 878 
2^419 


83, 432 


64, 513 

55, 793 
64, 369 
68,827 
69, 615 
51,839 
45,284 
48, 568 

56, 895 
51, 482 
48, 409 
43, 297 


668, 891 


32, 347 
28,196 


60, 543 


24, 326 
20, 091 


1, 364 
1,700 


44,417 


3, 064 


58. 037 
49, 987 


108, 024 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the certificate of 
disability section of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 

The certificate of disability section receives, records, and files all certificates of dis¬ 
ability furnished by the Wa? Department, all naval medical surveys and death cer¬ 
tificates from the Navy Department, and furnishes the same upon call of the proper 
adjudicating division. 

The work of the certificate of disability section, in charge of the chief clerk, is of 
such a character as to make it impossible to report the actual amount of business 
transacted by the different clerks. The section has charge of the duplicate certificates 
of disability furnished by the War Department, the reports of the naval medical sur¬ 
veys, and the death records furnished by the Navy Department. 

The current work of this section is generally finished up by the close of each day. 
As the certificates of disability, copies of medical surveys, and the death records are 
called for by the different adjudicating divisions, they are at once furnished, applied 
to the case, and proper record made. On the new record books now in process of 
completion, 150,000 names, with service, &c., have been recorded since June 1,1885. 
Prior to that date I am unable to report the number of names recorded. 

The following statement shows the amount and charactei'of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specitied below, in the certificate of disability section (in charge of 
chief clerk) of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed o f 
in 1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed o f 
in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Certificate of disabil¬ 
ity . 

139, 518 

1,196 

6, 974 

133, 740 

886 

3, 942 

130, 684 

831 

3, 580 

127, 935 

144 

1, 098 

126, 981 

Naval medical survey 

10, 702 

300 

250 

10, 752 

300 

250 

10, 802 

300 

227 

10, 875 

40 

20 

10, 895 

Naval certificates of 
death . 

6, 501 

100 

80 

6, 521 

100 

90 

6, 531 

100 

68 

6, 563 

16 

10 

6, 589 


156. 721 

1,496 

7, 304 

151, 013 

1,286 

4, 282 

148, 017 

1,231 

3,875 

145, 373 

200 

1,128 

144, 465 






























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


131 


' The following statement shows the average number of employes in the chief clerk^s 
division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, iluring the periods 
specified : 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884.. 

42 

41 

40 

40 

39 

38 

37 

28 

36 

35 

40 

40 

1885. 

44 

48 

48 

47 

41 

39 

38 

35 

36 

38 

39 

39 

1886. 

42 

42 

45 

47 

40 

47 

1887 (to Mar. 1). 

52 

53 



















This includes clerks detailed to Interior Department. 


MAIL DIVISION. 

Beport of the mail division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and work, as 
requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23,1887. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the mail division 
of the Bureau of Pensions, in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the division, and then showing in consecutive 
order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters through 
the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose hands the 
same pas es, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon 
had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly 
given to the proper party. 

General John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions : 

Sir : I have the honor to present the following statement as to the methods of this 
division and the volume of work handled by it during the fiscal years of 1883-84, 
1884-85, 1885-'83, and of the eight months (July 1, 1886, to March 1, 1887) of the cur¬ 
rent fiscal year, in reference to the circular letter of the Hon. F. M. Cockrell, chair¬ 
man Senate Select Committee, transmitted by the honorable Secretary of the Interior 
on the 18th instant. It has been our aim to do the greatest possible amount of work 
in the shortest time and with the least force. It will be seen that the number of per¬ 
sons engaged in this work has gradually decreased until now, when we are handling 
the largest mails with the smallest force we have ever had. It is the duty of this 
division to read, mark, stamp, record, count, classify, and deliver all the incoming 
mail to the respective divisions of this office. Indelible ink is used upon all the stamps 
(sample impressions inclosed), and the date affixed by these stamps governs the action 
of the office as to the filing of the claim or paper. The mails are thus disposed of 
always on the day of their receipt. Our work is current in the strictest sense and 
there is none reported, it will be observed, as undisposed of: 

Number of pieces received in one day: 

Maximum.-.. 12,000 

Minimum. 4,000 

Number of letters sent in one day : 

Maximum. 10,000 

Minimum. 3,000 


U. S. Pension Office. 

A. 

Apr. 7, 1887. 


U. S. Pension Office. 

B, 

Apr. 7, 1887. 


U. S. Pension Office. 
Apr. 7, 1887. 


Congressional. 
Apr. 7, 1887. 

U. S. Pension Office. 


F. S. Pension Office. 
Apr. 7, 1887. 


U. (F.) S. Pension Office. 
Apr. 7, 1887. 


U. S. Pension Office. 
Apr. 7, 1887. 


U. S. Pension Office. 
Apr. 5, 1887. 




































132 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the principal i ^ems of husiness transacted in the mail 
division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior: 


During fiscal year— 

Mail received. 

Mail sent. 

Pieces re¬ 
ceived. 

Per mouth. 

Per day. 

Letters 

sent. 

Per month. 

Per day. 

1883- ’84... 

1884- ’85. 

1885- ’86. 

July 1,1886, to February 28,1887* 

1,776, 966 

1, 830, 884 

2, 036, 528 
1, 359, 419 

148, 076 
152, 574 
169,711 
169, 927 

5,807 
6, 023 
6, 699 
6,730 

■ 1,550,300 
1,453, 971 
1,646, 086 
1,105, 302 

129,192 
121,164 
137,174 
138,163 

5,066 

4, 783 
5,415 

5, 472 


* Eiglit months. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specified below, in the mail division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department 
of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Jan. and 
Feb., 1887. 

AT n,i 1 Tfte.fti Vftd ___.... ........ 

1, 755, 759 
1, 468, 450 

1, 940, 872 

2, 022, 954 

391,561 

TITail flAnf. ... . _................. 

1, 567, 240 

1. 684, 830 

287, 970 



The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of, during the periods specified, by the employes ii 
the mail division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Xov. 

Dec. 

1884. 













Mail received. 

5, 455 

6,133 

6,130 

F,, 815 

5, 589 

5, 577 

4, 958 

5, 926 

5, 578 

6,099 

4, 889 

6, 209 

Mail sent.. 

5,179 

5,421 

5,461 

5, 450 

5, 266 

4, 712 

4, 057 

4, 268 

4, 397 

4, 616 

3,718 

4,642 

1886. 













Mail received.. 

5, 861 

6,510 

7,307 

6,234 

6, 271 

6, 523 

6, 633 

6, 018 

6, 083 

6, 657 

6,845 

6, 518 

Mail sent. 

5,105 

5, 339 

4, 865 

5, 687 

5, 633 

5,117 

4, 993 

4, 597 

5, 030 

5, 444 

5, 373 

5, 253 

1886. 













Mail received. 

6,311 

6, 814 

6, 941 

7,535 

6, 8^ 

7,138 

6,598 

5, 974 

5, 877 

5, 962 

6, 548 

6,769 

Mail sent. 

5,401 

5, 324 

5,672 

5,932 

6, 065 

5, 394 

5,342 

4, 728 

4,373 

6,120 

5,955 

5,308 

1887. 













ATnil recp.ivftd 

7 475 

8, 899 











TVTail AArvt. 

5,661 

6, 368 























The following statement shows the average number of employes in the mail di¬ 
vision of the Bureau of Pensions Department of the Interior, during the periods spcified: 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

42 

42 

42 

42 

42 

41 

40 

37 

36 

37 

33 

33 

1885. 

34 

34 

33 

33 

32 

31 

31 

31 

32 

30 

29 

29 

1886. 

30 

30 

30 

30 

31 

30 

31 

30 

30 

29 

28 

27 

1887 to March 1. 

28 

28 













Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the eraployd doing the least during 
the periods specified, in the mail division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department 
of the Interior. 

Owing to the varied duties and miscellaneous nature of the work of this division, 
such a report as is indicated above is entirely impracticable and impossible. The 
prepared mail is the joint product of the entire force, and while some are more effi¬ 
cient than others, this is always easily determined by the chiefs of section and the 
chief of the division. 


I 



































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


133 


The following statement shows the average number of clays and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the mail division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department 
of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 


1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 to March 1 


1 

; Number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

A verage 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 

' 

-i 39 

255 


None. 

.! 32 

263 


Do. 

.! 30 

265 

4 

Do. 

.1 28 

1 

45 


Do. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ<5 for the least number of days in the 
mail division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 



1S84. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 to 
Mar 1. 

Character of business. 

"MaTimum number of day.s.. 

292 

283 

296 

48 

Mail received and sent. 

Minimum number of days . 

183 

219 

246 

16 

Do. 


Respectfully submitted. 


U. S. Pension Office, April 7, 1887. 


M. A, MANNING, 
Chief of the Mail Division. 


EECOKD DIVISION. 


Deport of the record division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and work, as 
requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 211, 
1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C., April 2, 1887. 

Hon. John C. Black, Commissioner : 

Sir : In response to your verbal direction that I furnish certain in forma' ion xiertain- 
ing to the operations of this division called for by the Hon. F’. M. Coder 11, chairman 
of the Senate Select Committee, in his communication addressed to the honorable Sec¬ 
retary of the Interior, March 18,1887, copies of which were transmitted to this Bureau 
by Departmental circular of March 23, 1887, I have the honor to submit the accom¬ 
panying report. ^ 

"Verv rcspGctfiillyj 

C. R. FAULKNER, 

Chief of Record Division. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the record divis¬ 
ion of the Pension Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in this division, and then showing in consecutive 
order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters through 
the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose hands the 
same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon 
had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and notice thereof duly 
given to tlie proper party. 

This division has charge of the records of the late war in which a record is kept of 
applicants for jmnsion under act of July 14, 1862. 

^All original applications and applications for increase of pension are received in 
this division direct from the mail division. The original claims are jacketed, searched, 
numbered, and recorded. Those for increase are jacketed and forwarded to their 
projier divisions. 


























134 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


It is the duty of this division to enter upon the State, combination, and certificate 
records all certificates issued from the certificate division, and forward cases to the 
admitted files. 

This division also receives from the mail and other divisions, evidence, letters of in¬ 
quiry, and Congressional inquiries, &c., the receipts of which, during the fiscal year 
of 1885-86, averaged about 45,000 pieces per month. No record having been kept in 
this division previous to the above dates, it is impossible to give the amount received 
during the year 1884. This class of work requires to be briefed and searched upon 
the records, it being the special duty of this division to supply from the records the 
name, number, or service to each piece of evidence, or letter of inquiry, when that im¬ 
portant data has been omitted by the claimant or attorney, in order that it may reach 
as speedily as possible the case for which it is intended. 

Record has only been kept of the amount of work received and disposed of as a 
whole, and can be reported more conveniently by fiscal years. 

The time reports are given for the calendar year 1886 to March 1, 1887. Prior to 
this date no complete record was kept in this division of the time lost. 

Upon the receipt of an application for pension, the various, steps taken until finally 
disposed of by this division are as follows : 

The service alleged by applicant is verifie 1 from State roster, and all additional 
services are supplied when omitted by the applicant. 

It is then jacketed, giving on the face of the same the name, service, or services, 
post-office address of claimant, date of enlistment, date of discharge, date of filing, 
attorney’s address, &c., after which it is passed to the State records, where a careful 
search is made to ascertain whether or not a prior application has been filed ; if found 
to be a duplicate, it is forwarded to the original claim ; if original, it is numbered and 
recorded upon the State records, in each service alleged. It is also recorded upon the 
three-letter combination record. 

Copies are also made from the face of the jackets for preservation in the files of 
this division. In all original applications this division notifies claimants and attor¬ 
neys of the receipt and number of the application. 

From the face of an invalid jacket a service card is written for the Army and Navy 
survivors’ division, giving number, name, rank, service, date of enlistment, date of 
discharge, and post-office address of claimant, after which the case is forwarded to 
its proper division for adjudication. 

Upon the receipt of a piece of evidence in support of an application for pension 
the various steps taken until finally disposed of are as follows: 

It is passed to the briefer, whose duty it is to read carefully and endorse thereon the 
applicant’s name, company, battery, regiment, or other military organization, and the 
number of claim, provided such information is contained therein. After which it is 
searched on the State record when service is given, and on alphabetical record when 
service is omitted. 

After careful search upon both records, and no claim found, notice is sent to claim¬ 
ant or attorney of the fact that the information given is insufficient to identify a 
claim, and a request for further data is made. 

When the number or service of the claim to which the piece of evidence refers is 
found it is indorsed thereon and forwarded to its proper division. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the record division 
of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior. 

Verifying services alleged by applicants from State records. 

Jacketing original applications. 

Jacketing applications for increase of pension. 

Searching original applications on State records to ascertain whether or not a prior 
application has been filed. 

Supplying numbers to original apiilicatious. 

Recording original applications on State records. 

Recording original apjilications on combination records. 

Verifying and examining work of jacketers. 

Recording certificates on State, certificate, and combination records. 

Briefing, searching, and supplying Congressional inquiries with the required data. 

Briefing and searching on records all evidence and letters of inquiry. 

Congressional correspondence. 

Calls for data; miscellaneous correspondence. 

Notifying claimants and attorneys of the receipt of applications. 

Correcting Services and numbers on records. 

Writing slips from original cases. 

Writing service cards for the Army and Navy, survivor’s division. 

Furnishing data to other divisions in answer to telephone calls. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


135 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the record division of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior: 


LAverage amount transacted during each month of the fiscal year 1884.] 


Character of business. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

Services verified. 

Jacketing original appli¬ 
cations . 

3,037 

3, 037 

3, 037 

3, 037 

3, 037 
3, 037 

3, 306 

3, 306 

3, 306 

3, 306 

3, 306 
3, 306 

3,075 

3, 075 

3, 075 

3, 075 

3, 075 
3,075 

2, 872 

2,872 

2, 872 

2, 872 

2, 872 
2, 872 

2,221 

2,221 

2, 221 

2, 221 

2, 221 
2, 221 

2, 960 

2, 960 

2, 960 

2, 960 

2, 960 
2, 960 

3,037 

3, 037 

3,037 

3, 037 

3, 037 
3, 037 

3,171 

3,171 

3,171 

3,171 

3,171 
3,171 

3,902 

3, 902 

3,902 

3, 902 

3, 902 
3, 902 

3, 424 

3, 424 

3, 424 

3, 424 

3, 424 
3, 424 

3, 246 

3, 246 

3, 246 

3, 246 

3, 246 
3, 246 

3, 828 

3, 828 

3, 828 

3, 828 

3, 828 
3,828 

Searching original appli¬ 
cations . 

Numbering original ap¬ 
plications . 

Eecording original appli¬ 
cations : 

State j'ecords. 

Combined records.... 
Congressional correspond¬ 
ence* . 

Miscellaneous correspond¬ 
ence* . 













Notifying claimants. 

Correcting services, &c., 
on records* . 

3, 037 

3, 306 

3, 075 

2, 872 

2,221 2,960 

3, 037 

3,171 

3, 902 

3, 424 

3, 246 

3, 828 

Service cards for Army 
and Navy survivors’di¬ 
vision.-. 

2,119 

4,448 

9 

2, 365 

3,.872 
2, 010 

2,182 

4, 502 
2, 504 

1,988 

3, 362 
3, 337 

1, 486 

2, 549 
1, 409 

2, 084 

4, 877 
1, 833 

2,184 

5, 305 
4, 504 

2, 340 

6,719 

2,476 

2, 808 

8,246 

2,637 

2, 454 

6, 924 
5,244 

2, 203 

6, 053 

3, 695 

2, 698 

9, 733 
5, 239 

Jacketing increase appli¬ 
cations . 

Admitted cases recorded. 
Evidence, letters, &c., 
briefed*___ 

Notifying attorneys. 

2, 429 

2, 624 

2,460 

2, 297 

1, 776 

2,368 

2, 429 

2, 536 

3,121 

2, 739 

2, 596 

3, 062 



*]Sro record kept. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the record division of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior: 

[Average amount transacted during each month of the fiscal year 1885. i 


Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

j Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

i 

June, 

3, 297 

3,474 

3,175 

3,044 

3, 391 

^3, 568 

4, 368 

5,637 

5,125 

1 

' 4 , 585 

5,214 

3, 297 

3,474 

3,175 

3,044 

3, 391 

3, 568 

4, 368 

5, 637 

5,125 

4, 585 

5, 214 

3, 297 

3,474 

3,175 

3, 044 

3, 391 

3, 568 

4, 368 

5, 637 

5,125 

4, 585 

5, 214 

3, 297 

3, 474 

3,175 

3, 044 

3, 391 

3, 568 

4, 368 

.5, 637 

5,125 

4, 5S5 

5,214 

3, 297 
3, 297 

3, 474 
3, 474 

3,175 
3,175 

3, 044 
3, 044 

3, 391 
3, 391 

3, 568 
3, 568 

4, 368 
4, 368 

5, 637 
5, 637 

5.125 
5,125' 

4, 585 
4, 585 

■ 

5,214 

5,214 





. 







3, 297 

3, 474 

3, i75 

3, 044 

3, 391 

3, 568 

4, 368 

5, 637 

5, 125 

4, 585 

5, 214 

2, 345 

2, 504 

2, 256 

2, 200 

2, 518 

2, 707 

3, 367 

4, 322 

3, 635 

3,151 

3, 632 

6,416 
2, 664 

6,974 

2, 903 

8,345 

2, 855 

6, 085 

3, 025 

8, 559 
3, 123 

7, 034 
2, 942 

7, 777 

3, 006 

9, 484 

4, 050 

8, 753 
3,617 

6,172 

3, 291 

9,875 
5, 799 

2, 638 

2, 779 

2, 540 

2,435 

2, 712 

2, 854 

3,494 

4, 510 

4,100 

3, 668 

4,171 


Character of business. 


Services verified -.. 

Jacketing original appli¬ 
cations . 

Searching original appli¬ 
cations . 

Numbering original ap¬ 
plications . 

Kecording original appli¬ 
cations : 

State records. 

Combined records.. -. 
Congressional correspond¬ 
ence* . 

Miscellaneous correspond¬ 
ence* . 

Notifying claimants. 

Correcting services, &c., 

on records* . 

Service cards for Army 
and Navy survivors’di¬ 
vision. 

Jacketing increase appli¬ 
cations . 

Admitted cases recorded. 
Evidence, letters, &c., 

briefed t. 

Notifying attorneys. 


Julv. 


3, 320 
3,320 
3, 320 
3, 320 


3, 320 
3, 320 


3, 320 


2, 323 

7, 720 
2, 817 


2,656 


* No record kept. 


t About 45,000 pieces per month. 




















































































136 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the average amoipt and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified : 


Character of business. 

1886. 

1887. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Services verified. 

Jacketing original applications.... 

Searching original applications- 

Numbering original applications... 
JRecording original applications: 

State records. 

Combined records. 

4,015 
4,015 
4, 015 
4,015 

4, 015 
4, 015 

3, 869 
3, 869 
3, 869 
3, 869 

3, 869 
3, 869 

3,432 
3,432 
3, 432 
3,432 

3,432 
3, 432 

3, 209 
3, 209 
3, 209 
3, 209 

3, 209 
3, 209 

2, 926 
2,926 
2, 926 
2,826 

2, 926 
2, 926 

3,301 

3, 301 

3, 301 

3, 301 

3,301 

3, 301 

4,412 
4,412 
4, 412 
4, 422 

4.412 

4.412 

5, 390 
5, 390 
5, 390 
5, 390 

5, 390 
5, 390 









Notifying claimants. 

4,015 

3, 869 

3,432 

3, 209 

2, 926 

3, 301 

4, 412 

5, 390 

Service cards for Army and Navy 

survivors’ division. 

Jacketing increase applications ... 
Admitted cases recorded. 

2,735 
6, 950 
2, 250 

2, 587 
6, 074 
2,410 

3, 095 

2, 278 
7, 772 
2, 221 

2, 745 

2, 104 
6, 671 

3, 253 

1,884 
5, 708 
3, 520 

2, 266 
8, 766 
2, 931 

3,231 

8, 804 
3, 720 

4, 042 
8, 044 
3, 610 

Notifying attorneys. 

3,212 

2, 567 

2, 340 

2, 640 

3, 530 

4,312 


* No record kept. t About 45,OGO pieces per montb. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below in the division of records in the office of the Commis¬ 
sioner of Pensions: 


Character of business. 

Transacted 
and dis¬ 
posed of 
during fis¬ 
cal year 
1884. 

Transacted 
and dis¬ 
posed of 
during fis¬ 
cal year 
1885. 

Transacted 
and dis¬ 
posed of 
during fis¬ 
cal year 1886 
to March, 
1887. 

Services verified... 

38, 079 
38, 079 
38, 079 
38, 079 
38, 079 
38, 079 

30. 554 
30. 554 
30, 554 
30, 554 
30, 554 
30, 554 

48, 198 
48, 198 
48,198 
48, 198 
48,198 
48,198 

Jacketing orio'in.al application.^...... 

Searching origioal applications.... 

Numbering original applications. 

Recording original applications. State records. 

Recording ori«"inal applic.ationa, combined records. 

Congre.saional correspondence* . . .. 

IVTiscell.aneona correspondence* _ _ __ . _ _... 




Notifying claimants..... 

38, 079 
30, 463 

30, 554 
24, 443 

48,198 
38, 558 

Notifying attorneys_ ____ 

CorrectincT services, A'.c., on recoi'ds* _ _ _ 

Service cards for Army and Navy survivors’ division .. 

26, 909 
66, 590 
34, 897 

21,127 
58, 879 
23, 915 
360, 000 

34, 960 
93,195 
40,092 
540, 000 

Jacketing increase applications.... 

Admitted cases recorded. 

Evidence, letters, &c., briefed*. 




* 1^0 record kept. 

The work passing directly through the division, there was none undisposed of at 
the close of the year. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the record 
division of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci¬ 
fied : 


Fiscal year. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J line. 

1884. 

70 

65 

65 

68 

69 

69 

70 

68 

67 

65 

63 

61 

1885.. 

61 

62 

62 

55 

53 

52 

52 

52 

51 

50 

43 

43 

1886.. 

43 

43 

44 

45 

45 

45 







1887 (to March 1). 


45 

47 












































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


137 


A statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted 
and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified, in the record division of the Pension Office, Department of 
the Interior, cannot be furnished, as the work is of such a nature that the clerks are 
frequently changed from one class of work to another, this having been found neces¬ 
sary, and no record having been kept of the work performed individually. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci 
tied, by the employes in the record division of the Pension Office, Department of the 
Interior; 


Tear. 

No. of em- 
ploy6s. 

Average of 
days present. 

Average of 
hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

Remarks. 

1884. 

66f 




? Complete record of time 
5 not kept in this division. 
Averaged on basis of 365 
days. 

Averaged on basis of 59 
days. 

1885. 

53 




1886. 

44f 

47 

331 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

56?f 

7 

0 





The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ6 present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days, 
in the record division of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



1884.* 

1885.* 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar.l). 

MaTimiiTn nninber of days________ 



361^ 

307 

59 

M inimnm niTm her of days ___..._____...._ 



41 





* Complete record of time not kept in this division. 


AEMT AND NAVT SURVIVODS’ DIVISION. 

lieport of the Army and Navy su7'viror8’ division. Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of 
business and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department 
circular of March 2:1, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C., April 2, 1887. 

Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions : 

Sir : In response to your verbal direction that I furnish certain information per¬ 
taining to the operation of this division, called for by Hon F. M. Cockrell, chair¬ 
man of the Senate Select Committee, in his communication addressed to the Secre¬ 
tary of the Interior, March 18, 1887, copies of which were transmitted to this Bureau 
by Department circular, I have the honor to report as follows: 

That this division, now known as the Army and Navy survivors’, was not recog¬ 
nized as a division until May 18, 1885. In October, 188;i, the work had i ts origin in 
the special examination division, and continued as a section of that division, with an 
average of ten clerks, until May, 1884. 

The object in establishing this branch of work was to collect names and post-office 
addresses of surviving soldiers and sailors of the Union Army or Navy, in order to 
aid applicants for pension to obtain the evidence necessary to the final adjudication 
of their claims. 

In the analysis of ])euding cases made in the Pension Bureau early in 188.3, it was 
ascertained that of the total number pending—244,000 in round numbers—204,000 
were a waiting response of clainjants to calls for necessary eyidence, and that the evi¬ 
dence lacking in the majority of these cases was of officers or enlisted men to show 
the origin ami continuance of disability, and if contracted in service and line of duty. 
In a large number of these cases there was either no record at all at the Adjutant- 





























I 


138 TuE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

General’s office, or one of constant presence for duty, and ^vitliont Ibe X) 08 itive evi¬ 
dence of officers or comrades noxiension can be granted under the law. 

The inability to furnish this evidence, in otherwise meritorious cases, arose from 
the fact that comrades, being widely separated, had no means of learning each other’s 
whereabouts. 

The best j^lan for obtaining the data desired, and the best method f()r compiling 
and making the record a matter of ready reference, was under discussion tor some 
time, and the result was the designing of the accompanying cards. 

In order to successfully carry out the x)roject, it was deemed advisable to interest 
the officers of the Granci Army of the Rei)ublic, and through them to obtain lists com¬ 
prising the full membershix^ of that organization. Service cards (see Exhibit 1) were 
preftared and sent out to the assistant adjutant-general of each Department, G. A. R. 

An order was issued to all examiners in adjudicating divisions, reciuestiug them to 
make a copy of the name, rank, service, and jn-eseut post-office address ot all affiants in 
claims which x^Jissed through their hands. A simikir order was issued to all sj^ecial 
examiners hi the field, requiring tliem to supiily the same data of all ex-soldiers of 
whom they gained knowledge during the examiuatign of pension claims. 

Many lists were received from various sources, giving only name and xiost-office ad¬ 
dress ; as these were useless to the record without the rank and service, still another 
card was designed for the xiuiqiose of obtaining fall data with as little trouble as jios- 
sible. (See l!xhibit 2.) 

Correspondence was had with officers of regimental associations with a view of ob¬ 
taining rosters of the full membership of those organizations, and when said lists were 
received they were copied on cards xirexiared for office use. (See Exhibit 3.) 

The other sources for obtaining the luaterial necessary to the establishment of this 
record were many and varied. Officers and comrades of various regiments, resident 
in this city and elsewhere, learning that such a record was in course of preparation, 
exhibited a great interest, and voluntarily forwarded much valuable inlbrmation as 
to officers and enlisted men known to them. 

In connection with the above described, a sejiarate and complete record of Union 
ex-prisoners of war is in course of jireparation, and as a means of filing all infor- 
malKon received relative thereto, the card, Exhibit 4, was printed. 

In January, 1884, about 5,000 of the G. A. R. cards had been received; and it was 
decided that the best method of filing for ready reference was to arrange them by 
comjiany, regiment, and State organization, and arm of service. Woodruff’s jiatent 
file-cases were utilized, and the boxes labeled according to arm of service, namely, 
bine for infantry, yellow for cavalry, red for artillery, and dark blue for Navy. 

From January, 1881, to May, 1885, the record increasetl from 5,000 cards to between 
500,000 and 600,000, and at tliis date there are fully 750,000 on file. 

The tabulated statement affixed hereto shows the number of names together with 
post-office addresses suxiplied to cases each month since Ajiril 16, 1884, when the 
section was first organized, to February 28, 1887. 

The work as it progressed suggested many new ideas which were adopted when 
they ajixieared to further the best interest of the Bureau, and it will be observed that 
as time advanced the monthly report became more specific. 

Rosters of regimental surgeons are supplied to the various adjudicating divisions, but 
they are somewhat incomplete in the matter of jiost-office addresses and were xiriuted 
in 1882. When in the examination of a claim the question arose of medical treatment 
in hospitals by surgeons U. S. Army, U. S. Volunteers, or contract surgeons, it was a 
slow matter, aud one often fraught with much difficulty, to obtain this very neces¬ 
sary class of information. There has been in course of prejiaration for some time 
Xiast, a record of surgeons U. S. Army, IJ. S. Volunteers, and coutract surgeons who 
were in charge of, or on duty in, the general aud post hospitals throughout the loyal 
States during the war; aud for the x^urpose of collecting the necessai^v data, several 
blanks (see Exhibit 5) are sent to every surgeon whose name may come before the Bu¬ 
reau in the above connection. The verification of the post-office address of regi¬ 
mental surgeons is also attended to. This branch of the record has been of great serv¬ 
ice ; in fact it ranks with the most imxjortant features of the division. 

In connection with the surgeons’ record there is being xirex^ared a list of all hospitals 
where Union soldiers were cared for during the war. When completed, this list will 
show the exact location, and give the history of nearly 3,000 hosxiitals, whether 
general, post, or field, also the convalescent camx^s aud the exact dates of establish¬ 
ment aud discontinuance of same. The value of .such a record as this can be fully 
understood from the following description : A claimant states that he was wounded at 
Fort Wagner, was taktui on hospital ship to Hilton Plead, thence to Beaufort, S. C., 
where he was sent to a hospital in the house of Barnwell Rhett. By referring to our 
list it is immediately ascertained that said house was Hosx^ital No. 3, Beaufort, S. C., 
Dexiartment of the South. By a further reference then to our surgeons’ files we can 
readily obtain the names of the surgeons who were on duty at that hosx^ital at the 
time the claimant was an inmate. 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


139 


lu tlic early days of this division, when, in fact, it was hut yet a section of another 
division, the records kept of work received and completed were verj'^ incomplete. It 
will, therefore, be an impossibility to give the exact amount of work pending and un¬ 
disposed of at the close of any calendar year. 

During the past year the work of the division has increased so rapidly that it has 
been found impossible to keep it up to date with the force of clerks provided, and on 
the 1st ot March a full account was taken of arrears of work in the division, with the 
lollowipg result: In that branch of the division where information is supplied to ad¬ 
judicating divisions—Exhibit 6 is the form used by divisions in calling for same—it 
was found that of 1,866 calls received during the month of February, none had been 
taken up for action, as the January work was not yet completed. One thousand two 
hundred and eighty-six is the largest number of calls ever completed for adjudicating 
divisions in any one month, and the difference between 1,866 received and 1,286 com¬ 
pleted requires no further comment. 

In that branch of the division devoted to the correspondence of claimants and their 
attorneys, the count of March 1 showed 1,570 letters received during the month of 
February ; 210 of this number were acted upon in addition to some January work, 
leaving 1,360 in arrears. Of these 1,570 letters 300 were requests for post-office ad¬ 
dresses of officers and comrades of Regular Army or Navy, and about 60 were for post- 
office addresses of surgeons. 

In 1885 the Commissioner desired to know the actual benefit rendered to the Bureau 
by the record described, and an estimate was made for the annual report of that 
year by the chief of the special examination division, which showed that he consid¬ 
ered the work of special examination in the field expedited 30 per cent, by the addi¬ 
tion of lists of officers and comrades, with post-office addresses, furnished in the cases, 
and the assistance rendered to the adjudicating divisions was estimated in about the 
same proportion; and inasmuch as the record has been greatly improved, aud the 
system of furnishing data more complete, and the clerks better educated in regard to 
the various branches of service, it is safe to presume that the assistance rendered at 
the xiresent date is greater than two years ago. 

This branch of the Pension Bureau has become very widely known, and, as the fol¬ 
lowing letters will show, its usefulness is appreciated by other Departments of the 
Government service: 


Treasury Department, Second Auditor’s Office, 

llasliingtoriy D. C., October 28, 1885. 

Sir: In compliance with your verbal request of this date for information in regard 
to the benefit derived by this office from information received through the Army aud 
Navy survivors’ division of your office, I would state that in a large number of cases 
in this office, involving erroneous jiayments and overpayments to officers of the Army 
and others, great difficulty has been experienced in ascertaining the residence or 
whereabouts of such persons, but since the organization of said division in your office 
we have, in nearly all the cases in which inquiries have been made, been enabled to 
obtain definite information so as to disi)Ose of the cases satisfactorily, and frequently 
to recover quite large sums of money. 

I do not know of any other source from which an equal amount of information 
could be obtained. The manifest advantage of such Government records, if kept up, 
can readily be seen, esiiecially when we consider the great lapse of time which often 
arises since the officers left the service before the indebtedness was discovered. 

Very respectfully, 

WM. A. DAY, 

Auditor. 

Hon. J. C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


War Department, Adjutant-General’s Office, 

Washington, D. C,, October 29, 1885. 

Sir: In reply to your request of this date for a statement as to whether the infor¬ 
mation received from the Army and Navy survivors’ division of your office has been 
satisfactory and of any material benefit to this office, I have to say that it has often 
been found necessary to ascertain the present whereabouts of officers and enlisted 
men of the late volunteer army in order either to corroborate or disprove statements 
made by citizens, or by officers or enlisted men, who were not present at the time ot 
the occurrence to which they testify, in applications for amendment of record, re¬ 
moval of charge of desertion, &c., and the information received from the division 
named has been found to bo satisfactory aud of material benefit to the claimants’ in¬ 
terests as well as to the Government. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. C. DRUM, 


Adjutant-General, 


The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. 


140 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


There is perhaps no description that would give a clearer idea of the advantage of 
this record system to the Pension Bureau than to relate the following instances; 

In a case that has been pending for nineteen years, the claimant, who is a resident 
of Wisconsin, had served in the Sixth Maryland Infantry, and was a prisoner of war. 
He claimed a pension for a wound received at the time of his capture. There were 
fourteen members of his company captured at the same time and place, but all of the 
fourteen had either died in prison or since the war, as was believed, and it was neces¬ 
sary for him to file evidence that the wound for which he applied for pension was re¬ 
ceived in service and in line of duty. He came to Washington to advise with the 
Commissioner as to the best course to pursue. He was at once furnished with the 
names of two of his comrades, both residents of Washington, one holding an impor¬ 
tant Government position. He called upon them, learned that they had jiarticipated 
in the same battle, and had seen the claimant lying on the battle-field afier he had 
been wounded. In short, he was able that same afternoon to place in the Commis¬ 
sioner’s hands the necessary evidence to prove the justice of bis claim. 

On the other hand, a claimant, late of the New York service, filed an application 
for pension through a claim agent, declaring under oath that owing to exposure and 
disease contracted in the service he had wholly lost the use of one of his eyes, and 
that the sight of the other was much impaired. His proofs were defective, but when 
called upon for corroborative evidence he sent on affidavits to the eftect that the offi¬ 
cers of the company in which he served were all dead, and that he did not know the 
address of a single living comrade. But when the roster of the Army and Navy sur¬ 
vivors’ division was assorted and placed on file it was found that a member of the 
comi)any and regiment in which the claimant served was employed in the Govern¬ 
ment Post-Office at Washington. He was called up and asked if he knew the claim¬ 
ant. He replied in the affirmative. “What kind of a soldier was he?’’ queried the 
examiner. “Well, he might have been good enough if he could have seen any¬ 
thing,” answered the witness, “ but he was almost blind when he enlisted, and I could 
never account for his being passed by the examining surgeon.” 

A little further search revealed the fact that two officers and several comrades of 
the company in which the claimant had served were still alive and were residents of 
the very town in which the “proofless” claimant had his place of abode. 

Very respectfully, 


FRANK A. BUTTS, 

Chief of Army and Navy Survivors^ Division. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business transacted 
and disposed of from April 16, 1884, to January 1,1887, in the Army and Navy surviv¬ 
ors’ division of the United States Pension Bureau: 


Total of surgeons’ addresses. 3,378 

Total of names. 3.51,770 

Total of names furnished for use in cases. 53,84i> 

Addresses supplied to names especially designated. 44,420 

Letters and circular letters. 55,110 

Circulars forwarding lists of names with post-office addresses. 53,550 

Calls on Adjutant-General. 1,230 

Calls on Navy Department. *^97 

Calls on Surgeon-General. 19d 


FROM APRIL 15, 1884, TO DECEMBER 31, 1884, 


Date. 

1 

Number, j Cases. 


996 
3,345 
8, 097 
6, 061 

8, 070 
13,239 
12,350 

9,465 

9, 362 

129' 
664 
1,190 
• 760 
917 
1,328 
1,331 
933 
1,106 




August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December. 

Total. 

70, 985 

8,358 



Average number of clerks employed from April 16 to December 31, 1884, 12. 




























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


141 


1885. 


Date. 

Number. 

Cases. 

Addresses supplied 

to names especial¬ 

ly designated. 

Letters and circular 

letters. 

Circulars and circu¬ 

lar cards. 

Calls on Adjutant- 

General. 

Calls on Navy De¬ 

partment. 

Calls o n Surgeon- 

• General. 

$ 

January . 

9,002 
6,539 
6,920 

5, 738 

6, 059 
14, 985 
11,449 

10, 074 
10,986 
11,395 
12,133 

11, 608 

1,187 
890 
910 
807 
825 
1,830 
1,456 
1, 485 
1, 668 
1, 773 
1, 749 
1, 710 







February . 







March. 







April. 







May. 







June. 


1, 091 
984 

1,762 

2, 586 
2, 216 
2. 096 
1, 772 

1,511 

2, 7i!9 

3, 539 

3, 563 

4, 766 
2, 323 
7, 240 




July. 





August. 





September . 

October. 

November. 

2, 561 

2, 615 
3,170 

3, 005 




December. 




Total. 




116,888 

16,290 

11, 351 

12, 507 

25, 681 









Average number of clerks employed from January 1 to December 31, 1885, 25. 


188G. 


Date. 

Addresses of sur¬ 
geons. 

Total of names. 

Total of cases. 

Addresses supplied 
to names espe¬ 
cially designated. 

Letters and eircu- 
1 lar letters. 

1 Circulars and cireu- 
1 lar cards. 

January. 


12, 090 

2,016 

3, 975 

2, 607 

1,530 

February. 


12, 240 

1, 930 

3,174 

2, 025 

1, 774 

M arch. 


14,286 
12, 349 

2, 527 
2, 370 
2,248 
2, 373 
2, 006 
1, 806 

2, 442 
2, 221 

3, 304 
2,376 
3. 311 

1,072 

1, 441 

April. 


May... 


12 ; 430 
12, 788 
11,912 
9, 288 
9, 170 
11,881 

2 ; 259 
2, 229 
1, 854 

4 ; 814 

1, 355 

June___....... 


2, 946 
2, 033 
1,309 
2, 099 

J nly.... 


i;463 

1,455 

August_...__..._ 


1,797 

September. 


1 ; 664 

li 651 

1,116 

October. 

388 

2, 072 

2,148 

3, 204 

1, 194 

November.. 

604 

9, 883 

1,686 

1,786 

5,855 

1,934 

December. 

634 

10, 632 

2, 002 

2, 391 

3, 689 

2,417 

Total.. 

1,626 

138, 949 

24, 700 

27, 927 

34, 758 

21, 565 


1 Calls on Adjutant- 
General. 

1 Calls on Navy De- 
1 partment. 

Calls on Surgeon- 
General. 

1 































271 

211 

482 

76 

76 

152 


54 

54 


Average number of clerks employed from January 1 to December 31, 1886, 32. 

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, 1887. 


Date. 

Addresses of sur¬ 
geons. 

Total of names. 

1 Total of cases. 

Addresses supplied 
to names especial¬ 
ly designated. 

1 Letters and circular 

1 letters. 

1 Circulars and circu- 

j lar cards. 

Calls on Adjutant- 
General. 

Calls on Navy De¬ 
partment. 

Calls on Surgeon- 
General. 

January. 

735 

11, 899 

2, 119 

2, 362 

4, 075 

1,871 

430 

73 

70 

February. 

1,017 

13, 049 

2, 382 

2, 780 

3, 770 

4, 442 

318 

72 

72 

Total. 

1,752 

24, 948 

4,501 

5,142 

7, 845 

6,313 

748 

145 

142 


Average number of clerks employed for the above-named months, 41. 














































































































142 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 


Exhibit 1. 

[Where a comrade served in more than one regiment, fill in a separate card for each service.) 

Department of the Interior, Pension Office, 

Name,-, Inf., Cav., Art. 

Late rank,-Co.,-, Eegt.-. 

Vessel,-; Squadron,-. 

Enlisted,-, 18-; Discharged,-, 18-. 

Member of Post No.-, at-. 


DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


Residence, No.-,-street. 

Town,-; Co,,-; State,-. 

Change of residence. No.-, street. 

Date of chiTnge,--, 188-. 

Town,-; Co.,---; State,-. 

Please notify this office, hy postal card, of any change of residence. 


Exhibit 2. 


[If in more than one regiment or vessel, fill in a card for each service.] 

Department op the Interior, Pension Office, 

Washington, D. G., -, 188-. 

Sir : This office will esteem it a favor if you will supply the data called for below. 

The information is desired as an addition to a record that has been established in the Pension Office 
of all surviving soldiers and sailors who served in the Union Army or Navy during the late war. 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN C. BLACK, 

Commissioner. 

Name,-, Inf., Cav., Art. 

Late rank,-, Co.,-,-Regt.-. 

Vessel,-; Squadron,-. 

Enlisted,-, 18-. Discharged.-, 18-. 

Residence, No.-street. 

Town,-; Co.,-; State,-. 

Change of residence. No.-street. 

Date of change,-, 188-. 

Town,-; Co.,-; State,-. 

Please notify this office, by postal card, of any change of residence. 


[If on more than one vessel, fill in a card for each service.] 


Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 

Washington, D . G., -, 188-. 

Sir: This Bureau will esteem it a favor if you will supply the data called for on the other side of 
this card. 

The information is desired as an addition to a record that has been established in the Bureau of Pen¬ 
sions of all surviving soldiers and sailors who served in the Union Army or Navy during the late war. 
Very respectfully. 


JOHN C. BLACK, 


Commissioner. 


U. S. NAVY, 


Name,-. 

Rank,-, 

Ordered toU. S. S.-. 

Date ordered,-,18-; Detached,- -,18-. 

Present residence. No,-street. 

Town,-; Co..-; State, -. 

Final discharge from U. S. N.,-, 18_. 

Please notify this Bureau of any future change of residence. 

Change of residence, No.-street. 

Town,-; Co., ; State, . 






































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


143 


Exhibit 3. 


[If in more than one Co., Eeg’t, or Vessel fill in a card for each service.] 

Department op the Interior, 

Bureau oe Pensions, 
Washington, D. O., -, 188—. 

Name,- , Inf., Cav., Art. 

Late rank,-Co.-,-Eeg’t-. 

Vessel,-, Squadron,-. 

Enlisted,-, 18-; Discharged,-, 18-. 

Present P. O address, No.-Street. 

City,-, Co.,-, State,-. 

Future change of residence. No.-Street. 

Date of change,-, 18-. 

Citj-,-, Co.,-, State,-. 


Exhibit 4. 


[Where a comrade served in more than one Regiment fill in a separate card for each service.] 


Department of the Interior, 

Pension Office. 

Name,- , Inf., Cav., Art. 

Late Rank,-Co.-,-Reg’t-. 

Vessel,-; Squadron,-. 

Name of Commanding Othcer of Co. or Vessel,-. 

Where enlisted : Town,-; Co.,-; State,-. 

Date of enlistment,-,18-. Date of discharge,-,18-. 

Taken prisoner at-. 

Date of capture,-, 18-. Date of parole,-, 18-. 

Where confined,-. 

Present P.O. address,-street. 

City —-,-; Co.,-—; State,-. 

Please notify this office, by postal card, of any change of residence. 


Exhibit 5, 


Department of the Interior, 
Pension Office, 

Washington, D. 0., -, 188-. 

Sir : This office will esteem it a favor if you will supply the data called for on the other side of this 
slip. The information is desired as an addition to a record that has been established in the Pension 
Office of all surviving soldiers and sailors who served in the Union Army during the late war. 

If you were at any time on duty with a battery, detachment, or any separate organization, please 
give full data as to length of time on duty with same. Also be particular as to dates of service in each 
hospital. 

If you have any records in your possession, please put the letters H. R. in corner under date. 

Very respectfully, 

JOHN C. BLACK, 

Commissioner. 


(Reverse side.) U.S. Pension Office, Army and Navy Survivors’ Division. 

Please state whether General, Post, or Field Hospital. 

Name of hospital,-. . 

At-—. 

No.-, ward;-. 

Name,-. 

Rank,-; Surgeon,-• 

From-, 18-. 

To-, 18- 

Present P. O. address: 

City or Town,-—. 

County,-. 

State,-. 

Please notify this office by postal card of any change of address. 

Date,- — 1 188—. 































































144 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Exhibit 6. 

-Div. 

-, Exr. 

No.-. 

Name,-. 

Co.-, Eeg’t-. 

P. O.-. Department of the Interior, 

Enlisted - , 18 - . Pension Office, 

Discharged-, 18-. Washington, D. -, 188—. 


Chief Army and Navy Survivors’ Division: 

Please give the present post-office address of the following-named soldiers for use in above case. 

Chief - Div. 


Name. 

Company. 

Eegiment. 

Present po.st-office address. 






Eespectfnlly returned to Chief- 


■, 188—. 


-Division with the desired information as far as hnown. 

Chief Army and Navy Survivors' Division. 


-Div. 

-, Ex’r. 

No. -. 

Name, —--, 

Co.-, Eeg’t.-. 

P. O. -,-. Department of the Interior, 

Enli.sted -, 18 -. Pension Office, 

Discharged-, 18-. Washington, D. C. ,-, 188—. 


Chief Army and Navy Survivors’ Division : 

Please furnish the names and P. O. address of officers and-comrades of Co. 

Eeg’t-, for use in above case. 


Chief 


Div. 


Name. 

Eank. 

Present post-office address. 





Eespectfully returned to Chief-— ~ —- Division with the desired information as far as knowm 


188 —. 


Chief Army and Navy Survivors' Division. 






















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


145 


Special Examination Div. 

-, Eev’r. 

No.,-. 

Name,-. 

Co.-, Reg't-. 

P. O.-. Department of thn Interior, 

Enlisted-, 18-, Bureau of Pensions, 

Discharged-, 18-. . Washington, D. C., -, 188—. 

Chief Army and Navy Survivors’ Division: 

Please give the present post-office address of the following-named soldiers for use in above case, 

Chief Special Examination Division. 


Name. 

Company. 

Regiment. 

Present post-office address. 






Respectfully returned to Chief Special Examination Division with the desired information as far a 
known. 

Chief Army and Navy Sui'vivors' Division. 

-, 188—. 

Reverse side: 

Washington, D. C.,-, 188—. 

For the information of the special examiner to whom this case has been referred for investigation, 
the accompanying list of officers and comrades who served in the same military organization with the 
claimant about whom inquiry is to bo made, together wkh their last known post-office addresses, is 
fuinished. The special examiner will not confine his inquiries to this list of comrades, but will seek 
odt others if necessary. 

' t 

Chief of Division. 


Special examination div, 

-, Rev’r, 

No-. 

Name,-. 

Co.-Reg’t-. 

P.O.-- 

Enlisted-, 18-. 

Discharged-, 18-. 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., -, 188—. 


Chief Army and Navy Survivors’ Division: 

Please furnish the names and P. O. addresses of officers and-comrades of Co. -,- 

Reg’t-, for use in above case. 

Chief Special Examination Division. 


Name. 

Rank. 

Present P. 0. address. 





Respectfully returned to chief special examination division with the desired information as far as 
known. 

Chief Army and Navy Survivors' Division. 

-, 188—. 


(Reverse side :) 


Washington, D. C.,-, 188—. 


For the information of tho special examiner to whom this case has been referred for investigation, 
the accompanyinghst of officers and comrades who sorved in tho same military organization with the 
chiimant about whom inquiry is to bo made, together with their last known post-office addresses, is 
furnished. The special examiner will not confine his inquiries to this list of comrades, but will seek 
out others if necessary. 

’ ♦ 

Chief of Division. 

4402 INT-10 




























































146 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


EASTERN DIVISION. 


Report of the eastern division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Select Senate Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 


Department of the Interior, 

liUREAU OF Pensions, 
Washington, IJ. C., April 1, 1687. 


General John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions : 

Sir : In response to yonr order directing the cliiefe of divisions in the Bureau ot Pen¬ 
sions to furnish certain information pertaining to the amount and character ot busi¬ 
ness pending and transacted in their divisions for the years 1884, 1885, 188(), and lor 
the mouths of January and February, 1887, called for by the Hon. F. M. Cockrell, 
chairman of the United States Senate Select Committee, in a communication ad¬ 
dressed to the Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, Secretary of the Interior, dated March 18, 1887, 
a copy of which was by you transmitted to this division March 23, ItT^, I have the 
honor in compliance therewith to submit the following reiiort. 

Very respectfully, 

W. J. HILLIGOSS, 

Chief of Eastern Division. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the eastern di¬ 
vision of the Bureau of Pensions, in the Department of the Interior, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the eastern division, and then showing in 
consecutive order the various ste])s taken by the employes throngli wliose hands 
the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
rhereou had and taken by each, until the same is liually disposed of and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The claim having been received either from the record division or I’rom the law 
division, as the case may be, it goes to the pending liles of this division, and with¬ 
drawn to be put in the handsof an examiuer, who at once e.xamiues it as to the proper 
execution of the declaration and sufficiency of the allegations. 

If insufficient, the claimant and attorney are so notitied, and the case is sent to the 
pending tiles to await further action on their part. 

If sufficient, the claimant and his attorney are given the number of the claim, and 
notified that it will be settled as soon as possible. 

The examiner then, in blanks prepared for the purpose, calls on the Adjutant and 
Surgeon Generals, U. S. Army, for a complete military history and hospital treatment 
of the claimant, and at the same time the claimant is ordered to appear for examina¬ 
tion before a board of surgeons most convenient to him, this last order being ad¬ 
dressed to the attorney, if there is one ; if there is not, direct to the claimant- 

On the receipt of the reports from the Adjutaut and Surgeon Generals, U. S. Army, 
the examiner notifies the attorney or claimant that the case is now ready for con¬ 
sideration, and calls on one of them, usually the attorney, for all the evidence that, 
in his judgment, is necessary to complete the claim. 

It may be that in a gunshot-wound case the allegations of the claimant are sus¬ 
tained by the record, in which event the certificate of the board of surgeons describ¬ 
ing and locating the wound and rating the degree of disability is all that is required 
in such cases. 

If there is no record the examiner requires the claimant, through his attorney, to 
furnish the testimony of officers or comrades as to origin in service and line of duty, 
and of the surgeon or assistant surgeon for treatment in service, which, if satisfactory, 
completes the case. 

In all cases where officers and comrades testify as to origin a call upon the Adju¬ 
tant-General, U. S. Army, is necessary to ascertain whether or not such affiants were 
present or absent at the time indicated in the affidavits, together with the location of 
the command at that date. 

In disease cases of record the same course is adopted, and in addition the best evi¬ 
dence obtainable as to condition at discharge and each year since, the attorney being 
invariably furnished with the necessary requirements by the examiner. 

In disease cases not of record, testimony as in the cases of gunshot wounds not ot 
record is required as to origin in service and line of duty and treatment therefor in 
service, together with the best obtainable evidence showing claimant's condition at 
discharge and each year since. In all cases an examination by a board of surgeons, 
or if that is impracticable, by some surgeon designated for that purpose is necessary, 
this class of cases being known as invalid. 

The basis of a widow’s title to pension is an invalid right; that is, the soldier 
through whom the right to pension is claimed mast have contracted a disability iu 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


147 


the military service of the United States, and under such circumstances as would 
have entitled him to a pension, and died by reason of said disability either in the 
service or since his discharge. 

When a soldier’s right to a pension has been established to give title to his widow 
it must appear,tiist, that ho died on a certain date of a wound, injury, or disease con¬ 
tracted ill the service; and, second, that the claimant was his lawful wife when he 
died ; therefore in such cases the exaniiiier requires the claimant to perfect the sol¬ 
dier’s claim, if that has not already lioen done, and next to furnish proof of mar¬ 
riage, dates of birth and death of children, if any, and she still continues his widow 
unless a short time has elapsed since death of soldier and the filing of her declara¬ 
tion, and in all such cases the death of the soldier must be shown to have been due 
to disability contracted in the service. 

In that class of cases known as dependent, the death of the soldier being shown, 
th*e examiner further requires proof of the celibacy of the soldier, dependence, in whole 
or in part, at the date of the soldier’s death, and that she is the mother of the soldier. 

A mass of proof is required in such cases, and it can readily be seen that the amount 
of correspondence necessary to collect sufficient evidence for the proper and equitable 
adjustment of the claim consumes long periods of time and necessarily tries to the 
utmost the patience of the parties interested. 

All cases are jacketed, on one side of which are given the number, the name, serv¬ 
ice, post-office address, dates of enlistment and discharge, the name of the disease or 
disability on account of which pension is claimed, and the name and post-office of 
attorney. 

The examiner notes briefly but plainly on the reverse side of the jacket the date 
and character of iill calls made, and as each requirement is complied with it is erased, 
but not sufficiently to make it illegible. 

When the evidence is complete the examiner briefs the case and submits it for 
‘‘ admission ” or rejection. 

The chief of division sends it to the board of review, and unless the case is sent 
back to him as improperly submitted, his connection with such claim ceases. 

If improperly submitted the claim is returned for readjudication, the points of va¬ 
riance being indicated on a slip attached, calling attention to what is considered 
further requirements in the case. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the eastern division 
of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 

The principal item of business tronsacted in the eastern division of the Bureau of 
Pensions consists in the adjudication of the claims of invalids, widows, and dependent 
relations for pension, and the increase and restoration of such pensions of all appli¬ 
cants on account of service in commands organized and accredited to the States of 
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New 
York, New Jersey, and Delaware. 

This work of itself comprises the assimilation of a vast amount of evidence which, 
to the uninitiated, would ever remain an unsolved problem ; yet so well are the various 
parts of the official machinery adapted to each other that with a rare precision each 
piece, however insignificant, adapts itself to its allotted place. 

So great though is the demand from all sources. Members of Congress, attorneys, 
claimants, and persons wholly unconnected with the case, for information as to its 
status, further requirements, and final favorable action, which have to be answered, 
that in this division, numbering 138 employes, 87 only are regularly engaged in the 
examination and adjudication of cases, 13 employed on the files, whilea miscellaneous 
section of the best equipped men, responding to calls for information in cases long 
since rejected, in increase cases, in claims for rerating and restoration, has become 
obligatory, to the great detriment of the service, and resulting in great delay to the 
speedy and just adjudication of claims. 

Unfortunately there is no remedy so long as any one can prefer a request for infor¬ 
mation respecting this or that case. 

As a consequence the overworked clerks are worked to their utmost, cases are de¬ 
layed by causes beyond their control, and the unsatisfied claimant or attorney pro¬ 
claims the utter inefficiency of the public service. 

A little charity and a little patience w ould accomplish much more than all the 
complaints now uttered, which are ever ready upon the lips of interested parties. 


148 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of bnsiness received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the eastern division of the Bureau of Pensions, 
Department of the Interior, 


Character of 
business. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed o f 
in 1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Disposed o f 

in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1886.* 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed o f 

in 1886. 

Received up to 

Jan. and Feb., 

1887. 

Disposed of up 

to Jan. and 

Feb., 1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1, 1887. 

Original, inva-1 
lid.widows’, ! 
and depend- f 
ents’ claims. J 
Increase claims 
Original reject- 









5 *9,146? 
1 t3, 6775 


5*1, 539? 
i tl655 


55, 681 

9. 910 

5*9,156? 
?t2, 9115 

53, 524 

8,952 

5*16, 058? 
3, 5685 

42,855 

11, 742 

1, 789 

41,805 

12, 933 

12, 484 

5''6, 254 ( 
d5, 0265 

14,137 

22, 598 

5 *7,468? 
1 t7,7565 

21, 511 

21,168 

5 *8, 895? 
^tlO ,2115 

4,309 

^*1, 944? 
U,0635 

24.875 

ed claims .... 

24, 033 

2, 911 

+ 1,297 

25, 647 

3, 563 

U, 213 

27, 997 

3, 677 

+2, 030 

165 

+244 

29, 565 


*Adjusted. tRejected. JReopened. 


The number of pending claims for increase is about 4,000 too great, as the number 
of claims rejected without medical examination should be deducted, but no record 
of such cases has been kept; a fair estimate, however, shows the number so rejected 
to be about one-eighth of the number acted upon. 

Although the number of rejected original claims appears in the column of those pend¬ 
ing at the close of the year, they are not regarded as pending claims, but as claims 
disposed of though subject to reopening. 

The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes in- 
the eastern division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior : 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Character of business. 



Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Hov. 

Dec. 

1884. 













Invalid claims submitted. 

13 

11 

11 

12 

13 

12 

7 

7 

9 

9 

8 

10 

Increase . 

420 

401 

426 

366 

705 

235 

158 

137 

670 

320 

400 

380 

Letters written. 

68 

67 

75 

67 

60 

54 

43 

45 

45 

56 

40 

57 

Circulars mailed. 

119 

97 

113 

100 

95 

79 

58 

71 

93 

109 

87 

85 

1885. 













Invalid claims submitted. 

12 

11 

13 

11 

13 

18 

12 

11 

12 

13 

10 

11 

Increase. 

475 

335 

447 

923 

487 

631 

325 

463 

500 

640 

920 

881 

Letters written. 

71 

64 

65 

75 

56 

45 

40 

34 

35 

48 

42 

32 

Circulars mailed. 

81 

G6 

90 

117 

106 

104 

94 

102 

110 

138 

99 

87 

1886. 













Invalid claims submitted. 

16 

16 

15 

14 

14 

17 

13 

9 

10 

12 

9 

9 

Increase . 

1,100 

526 

811 

873 

800 

701 

593 

223 

614 

522 

536 

694 

Letters written. 

54 

53 

58 

58 

54 

57 

57 

42 

44 

51 

52 

46 

Circulars mailed. 

156 

130 

160 

154 

137 

139 

127 

89 

92 

123 

91 

94 

1887. 













Invalid claims .submitted. 

11 

11 











Tncre.a.se.. 

497 

547 











T,fitters written__ 

66 

64 











f’irc.nlars mailed.. 

104 

97 

























The following statement shows the average number of employes in the eastern divis¬ 
ion of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified. 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1884. 

158 

165 

167 

177 

183 

181 

187 

178 

181 

170 

168 

188.5. 

158 

157 

157 

158 

160 

159 

161 

157 

156 

156 

155 

1886 . 

140 

134 

135 

140 

147 

143 

145 

157 

150 

14a 

145 

1887 (to March 1). 

145 

143 





























































































the department op the interior. 


149 


Tlio following statonieiit shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and jlisposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing 
the least daring the periods specified, in the eastern division of the Bureau of Pen¬ 
sions, Department of the Interior : 

EMPLOYE DOING THE MOST.—MAXIMUM. 


Character of business. 

Calendar 

Year. 

January. 

February. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

& 

a 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December. 

Cases submitted. 

1884 

2G 

42 

42 

47 

50 

42 

15 

33 

27 

49 

25 

27 

Do. 

1881 

30 

1!) 

5 

29 

iJo 

60 

30 

23 

39 

35 

31 

7 

Do. 

1886 

12 

22 

40 

41 

59 

49 

44 

39 

33 

29 

21 

17 

Do. 

1887 

30 

36 












to Mar.l 














EMPLOY^ DOING THE LEAST.—MINIMUM. 



In this connection it is proper to add that the figures embodied in this statement 
by no means indicate the amount of work necessary before a case can be submitted. 

To illustrate, by an inspection of the reports for January and February of this year 
this singular state of facts is seen to exist. 

One examiner during that period writes 3(51 letters, in each of which the status of 
the case is given, and 195 circular letters, and as a result he is credited with 43 cases 
submitted, while another with 130 letters and 870 circular letters gets credit only for 
8 cases; and yet while the record shows each to be industrious the results in each 
case are widely difierent,—and can be explained only by saying that the difficulties 
in the way of obtaining satisfactory testimony were greater in one case than in the 
other. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and 
attention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the eastern division of the Bureau of Pensions, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
days 
present. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 


174 

273 

2, 047 

None. 


157 

273 

2, 047 

Do. 


143 

273 

2, 047 

Do. 

1887 (to March 1). 

/ , 

144 

48 

360 

Do. 


As to the maximum number of days devoted to business by the employ<S present for 
the greatest number of days, and also the minimum number of days devoted to busi¬ 
ness by the employd present for the least number of days in the eastern division of 
the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified, 
after an exhaustive research, it is found to be impracticable to comply with this re¬ 
quirement. The daily changes in the personnel of the division explain why it car .not 
be done. 






































































150 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


MIDDLE DIVISION. 

Report of the middle division, Bureau of Tensions, on the methods of business and worn, 

as requested by Senate select committee, and called for by Department circular of March 

‘23, 1S87. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureau op Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., April 2, 1887. 

Sir: In transmitting tlie data contained in the records of this division for use in 
the report asked for by the Hon. F. M. Cockrell, chairman Senate select committee, 
I beg to submit the following statement by way of explanation and comment: 

I know of no records which can he regarded as affording data from which the 
“ maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and disposed of” by an em- 
ploy6 can be definitely determined. 

Who disposed of the greatest number of claims or wrote the greatest number of 
letters is a matter of record. A fair comparison, however, can be made only between 
persons engaged upon the same kind of work for a long period of time. 

Usually the one accomplishing least in any given month is the one who has not been 
engaged upon the work long enough to have become familiar with it. As a rule, the 
one who accomplishes most does not do his work as well as those who accomplish less. 

One who accomplishes least, as shown by the data, may be of more value to the 
Bureau than some who appear to have accomx)lished more. 

One who knows when and how to dispose of claims, if he or she apply that knowl¬ 
edge with reasonable diligence, is of more value than one showiug, apparently, more 
diligence but possessing less knowledge. 

One who knows when a letter should be written and what to write is of more value 
than one who writes more letters, some of which are unnecessary. 

A very careful clerk may use his head too much. A very careless one may use his 
hands too much. 

I know of no way to secure the proper use of both in all cases and at all times. 

Upon examination of the records of this division for a period of thirty-eight mouths 
I find that it fell to the lot of one clerk, now engaged on other work, to represent the 
“ minimum” three diJfferent months. One represented the “ maximum” nearly every 
month during said period. 

The latter disposed of so much work each month and year that, so far as rapidity 
is concerned, his work may be regarded as iihenomenal. To compare his record with 
that of any other clerk engaged on the same kind of work in this division or in the 
Bureau would, I think, be unjust to others. 

Respectfully submitted. 

WM. P. DAVIS, 

Hon. John C. Black, Chief Middle Division. 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


Statement of the middle division of the Bureau of Pensions, showing the methods 
adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipt 
of tbe matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and 
giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business mat¬ 
ters through the various divisions of the Office and the various Bureaus and divis¬ 
ions of such Bureaus, and employes through whose hands the same passes, and .by 
whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by 
each, until the same is finally disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the 
proper party. 

Upon the receipt of a claim for pension, the same having been previously recorded 
and given a number by another branch of the Office, calls are made upon the War De¬ 
partment for a report of the soldier’s military service, and, in claims made by invalid 
soldiers, a medical examination is ordered. If the reports made in answer to such 
calls do not afford sufficient proof to warrant a settlement of the claim, calls are made 
for such further evidence as may be deemed necessary. Upon the receipt of such evi¬ 
dence as, in the opinion of the chief of division, will justify final action, the claim is 
submitted to the board of review for consideration. If the submission be for allow¬ 
ance and recommendation be concurred in, this division ceases to have custody of the 
claim. If the recommendation be not concurred in, the claim is given such further 
consideration by this division as may be deemed proper, and in the same manner 
and with a view to the same end as though the same had not been submitted. If the 
recommendation be for rejection and be concurred in (certificate never having issued), 
the division continues to have custody of the claim. 

Very respectfully, 

WM. P. DAVIS, 

Chief of Division, 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


151 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below in the middle division of the Bureau of Pensions, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


1884. 

On hand January 1.... 
Filed and reopened...- 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 


1885. 

On hand January 1 .... 
Filed and reopened...- 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 


1886. 

On hand January 1 .... 
Filed and reopened.... 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 


1887. 

On band January 1. 

Filed and reopened January and Febru¬ 
ary . 

Admitted January and Febiniary. 

Rejected January and February. 

On hand March 1. 


Pending 

original. 

Pending in¬ 
crease, les- 
toration, 
miscella¬ 
neous. 

Rejected 

original. 

Total. 

Amount on 
hand pend¬ 
ing and un¬ 
disposed of 
at close of 
the calen¬ 
dar year. 

60, 903 
12,794 
8,288 
4, 083 

7, 024 
11, 509 
6, 516 
4, 915 

23, 364 

91,291 
24, 303 
14, 804 
8, 998 

67, 927 







61, 326 
11,686 
9, 201 
4, 907 

7,102 
23, 310 
8, 974 
7, 538 

25,475 

93, 903 
34, 996 
18,175 
12, 445 

68.428 







58, 904 
15, 500 
9,863 
3, 937 

13, 900 
23, 535 
10, 649 
10, 703 

*28, 719 

101,523 
39, 035 
20, 512 
14, 640 

72, 804 







60, 604 

2,431 
2,194 
148 

16, 083 

5, 256 
2, 246 
1,302 

*30, 018 

106, 705 

7, 687 
4, 440 
1,450 

76, 687 







60, 693 

17, 791 

*29, 905 

108, 389 

78, 484 


* Estimated. 


This table, owing to lack of sufficient data, is only approximately correct. 


Work report of the middle division, Bureau of Pensions. 


1884. 

January.. 

February. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December. 


1885. 

January.. 

February . 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December..*— 




GO 


S 


a 

fp © 

00 

• o 

CO 

O 4^ 

a o 

p ® 

u o 
.O Pi 

a 

<£> 

P 

e 

cc _o 
.9 3 
bu® 

g 

a 

E3 



> o a 

IZi 

w 

o 


193 

131 

2,136 


193 

131 

1,796 


193 

128 

1,783 

13UJ 

191 

132 

1,906 


184 

125 

1, 955 


182 

123 

1, 619 

10 20 

181 

122 

1,197 

0 99 
»I52 

178 

119 

1,284 

10i% 

180 

109 

1,148 


182 

118 

1, 025 

8i% 

182 

125 

1,163 


178 

129 

1, 361 

10/25 

178 

124 

1,198 


180 

128 

929 

7 33 

• 155 

179 

122 

1,198 

9m 

186 

124 

1,130 

9/A 

183 

126 

1,549 

12iV3 

170 

120 

1, 776 


167 

117 

1,641 

14tit 

157 

112 

1, 254 

ll/A 

153 

98 

1, 404 

mi 

159 

105 

1, 606 


158 

105 

1,478 

HiSs 

158 

102 

1, 605 



Increase claims 
submitted. 

Letters. 

Circulars. 

Lowest number of 
claims submit¬ 
ted by an ex¬ 
aminer. 

Highest number 
of claims sub¬ 
mitted by an ex¬ 
aminer. 

1,472 

1, 312 

21, 860 

3 

40 

587 

13,470 

19, 807 

4 

47 

931 

14,188 

22. 327 

4 

42 

869 

14, 516 

24,147 

4 

38 

758 

13, 395 

19, 056 

3 

49 

748 

10, 255 

12, 391 

1 

59 

670 

7, 634 

13, 060 

3 

35 

490 

9, 367 

15, 600 

2 

42 

785 

10,112 

18, 567 

2 

42 

843 

12, 275 

19, 023 

1 

44 

811 

9,340 

15,122 

1 

44 

452 

12, 538 

17,866 

2 

44 

1, 000 

14, 068 

19, 359 

1 

39 

619 

11, 653 

19, 850 

1 

39 

1,108 

12,087 

19, 464 

1 

38 

1,065 

14,141 

19,790 

2 

36 

1,582 

13, 289 

21,083 

2 

37 

1,417 

13,490 

19, 876 

4 

37 

1,330 

13, 461 

25,737 

4 

42 

563 

10, 511 

15,115 

3 

39 

862 

10,315 

14, 623 

5 

50 

1,577 

13, 704 

19, 344 

6 

50 

1, 364 

12, 579 

19,183 

3 

42 

1,587 

11,597 

18,078 

5 

61 






















































































































152 


THE DEPAKTMENT OF THE INTEKIOli 


Work report of the middle division, Bureau 0 /Continued. 




a 

0^ 


m 

a 

• 

a? X 
^ 0 

(A 

2 



C4H 

0 

4^ 



3 

X 



mber of > 

ployes. 

m 

S-i 

a; 

a 

S 

ginal c 1 a i 

submitted. 

33 

a 

a 

_ a j 

Scw a 

srease clai 

submitted. 

CO 

CO 

a 

0 

1 0 

a 

s 

CO 

V 

2 

as 

00 

a 

CC 

a 

rt 

.a <v 
a 

”5 a 

a 

a 

a 

as 

OD 

ja 

t claims s 

iitted by an 

miner. 



a 


•c 

0 « 




0 

u 



0 

a a 



'A 

w 

0 

< 

M 

H-; 

0 








1886. 














January... 


175 

117 

1, 562 


1, 233 

12 , 893 

17, 360 



2 



45 

February. 


156 

100 

1,555 

15 

1,434 

11, 786 

16, 507 



3 



74 

March.... 


154 

101 

1,605 

15jVi 

1, 030 

15, 570 

20, 807 



5 



80 

April. 


158 

100 

1,827 

1Bt% 

1,540 

13, 781 

23, 909 



5 



63 

May. 


163 

105 

1,911 

1 fl 21 

1, 049 

15, 484 

21,341 



2 



99 

Juiie. 


167 

107 

2, 333 

211*^ 

2, 189 

15, 308 

20, 918 



4 



123 

July. 


103 

105 

1, 712 

l«i“o% 

2, 800 

15, 056 

21, 030 



4 



98 

August... 


158 

98 

1,428 


1,211 

13, 478 

19, 400 



6 



33 

September 


161 

100 

1,434 

00 

1,295 

12, 063 

18, 629 



4 



99 

October .. 


158 

98 

1, 624 


1, 336 

13, 651 

17, 900 



3 



92 

November. 


164 

107 

1,235 

1 1 

*-70f 

1, 063 

14, 266 

20,140 



3 



66 

December 


169 

104 

1,282 

1 ‘> 3 4 

J—TO? 

1, 082 

13, 620 

18, 730 



2 



68 


1887. 














January... 


174 

101 

1,859 

iSiVr 

1, 321 

15, 015 

25,147 



1 



100 

February.. 


170 

100 

1, 878 


1,332 

15, 240 

22, 075 



5 



104 


The following statement shows the principal items of business transacted in the 
middle division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior: 


Month. 


January... 
February.. 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August.... 
September. 
October.... 
November. 
December . 

Total 


Number of Congressional in¬ 
quiries received— 


1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

2, 841 
2, 595 
2, 998 

2, 592 
2, 204 
1,841 

2, 500 
2,180 
2,768 
2, 458 
2, 279 
2,454 
2, 342 
1, 245 
£89 

3, 205 
2,541 

2, 402 

1, 386 


2,134 

651 


3,190 

722 


1,417 

498 


008 

505 


709 

644 


673 

705 

879 


470 

625 

673 


2, 682 

2, 006 

2,133 



22, 719 

14, 379 

22, 501 

5, 806 


Month. 


Number of pieces of evidence and let¬ 
ters referring to claims received— 


1884. 


January .. 
February. 
March .... 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August ... 
September 
October... 
November 
December. 


24, 963 

25, 245 
28, 240 
28, 776 
25, 300 

25, 269 

26, 514 
32,194 
35, 893 
36,050 
23,411 
32, 878 


344, 733 


1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

30, 029 

30, 557 

43, 675 

27, 275 

32, 246 

40,185 

33, 404 

37,440 


35, 081 

36,175 


33. 006 

38, 520 


33,103 

41,152 


31,764 

32,492 


26,890 

32, 480 


28, 879 

32, 886 


29, 428 

35, 560 


29, 098 

3.5, 952 


32,106 

45, 593 


370, 063 

431, 053 

83,800 


Total 



















































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 



WESTERN DIVISION. 


Jlcport of the western division, Bni'eau of Pensions, on the methods of business andworlc, as 
requested by Senate select committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23,1887. 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., April!, 1887. 

Sir: Iu compliance with your instructions, I have the honor to submit herewith a 
statement showinj;, as far as can be shown, the amount and character of the business 
transacted in the division and the methods of transacting the same, as called for by 
the select committee of the United States Senate appointed in iiursuance of the reso¬ 
lution of the Senate adopted March 3, 1887. 

Very respectfully, 

A. A. ASPINWALL, 


lion. .John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


Chief of Western Division. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the western division of the Bureau of Pensions: 


Character of business. 


1884. 

On hand January 1.. 
Filed and reopened.. 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 


1885. 

On hand January 1.. 
Filed and reopened.. 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 


1886. 

On hand January 1.. 
Filed and reopened.. 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 


1887. 

On hand January 1... 

Filed and reopened in January and 

February . 

Admitted in January and February 
Rejected in January and February.. 

On hand March 1, 1887. 


Pendins: 

oii"inal 

claims. 

PendiD«t4^- 
ciease,resto¬ 
ration and 
miscellaneous 
claims. 

Reiected 
Qii,'final 
claims. 

Total. 

Amount on 
hand pending 
and uudis- 
I)osed of 
at close of the 
calendar yeai-. 

67, 367 
12,405 
11,611 
3,717 

9, 398 
17,134 

9, 652 
6 , 003 

22, 902 

99, 667 
29, 539 
12, 263 
9,720 

76, 765 







64, 444 
12, 570 
12, 998 
4,071 

10, 977 
30, 693 
12,169 
10, 793 

25, 825 

101, 146 
43. 263 
25,167 
14, 864 

75, 321 







59, 945 
15, 298 
12,789 
3, 431 

18, 608 
32, .550 
15, 980 
14, 640 

*24, 306 

102, 859 
47, 848 
28. 769 
18, 071 

78, 553 







59, 023 

2, 241 
2, 074 
162 

20, 538 

7, 371 
3, 225 
1,859 

*25, 723 

105, 284 

9, 612 
5, 299 
2 , 021 

79, 561 







59, 028 

23, 825 

*23, 709 

106, 562 

82, 853 


* Estimated. 


This table, owing to lack of suffici'ent data, is only approximately correct. 


Statement showing tbe principal items of business transacted in the western division 
of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 

This division has charge of the detail work connected with the adjudication of all 
pension claims which are based upon disabilities incurred during the war of the re¬ 
bellion by soldiers who served in the volunteer force of the United States in organiza¬ 
tions which were raised in the Territories and the following States, viz : Illinois, In¬ 
diana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, California, Oregon, 
and Nevada. 



























































































154 


THE department OF THE INTERIOR. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the western 
division of the Bureau of Pensions, in the Department of the Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the western division, and then 
showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the emjjloyds 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 


On receipt of claims for adjudication by this division a count of the number received 
is made and recorded under the proper classification. A claim thus noted is at once 
sent to the files, where it is charged to an examiner on a slip, which is retained in the 
files, and which slip contains the number and title of the claim, the name and service 
of the soldier, and date the claim is given to the examiner. 

On receiving the claim the examiner proceeds, without delay, to make the necessary 
calls on the War Department for its record of the soldier’s service and medical treat¬ 
ment, and on the claimant, through his attorney, for such evidence as is deemed requi¬ 
site to complete the claim. lu the cases of invalid claimants an order for a medical 
examination is also issued. The claim is then sent back to the files to await the evi¬ 
dence and reports called for. 

It is of very frequent occurrence, however, that in the mean time the claim is sent 
to the examiner that letters of inquiry relative to the claim may be answered. 

The receipt of any portion of the evidence called for also causes the claim to be 
taken from the files to the examiner, in order that such evidence may be applied to 
the claim, and the condition of the claim as affected b^’^the evidence received be fur¬ 
nished claimant or his attorney. 

When, in the opinion of the examiner, all the evidence necessary to the proper ad¬ 
judication of the claim has been received, the claim is briefed and submitted by the 
chief of division to the board of review, the action thus taken being entered on the 
division records. 


The examiner’s connection with the claim then ceases, except in claims submitted 
to the board of review for rejection, in which case, if the board of review approve 
the action taken, the claim is returned to the examiner that he may notify the claim¬ 
ant and his attorney of the decision reached; also in cases where the claim is re¬ 
turned by the board of review for further evidence. 

In addition to the force employed in the adjudication of claims, there is a section 
of this division known as the miscellaneous section, whose work it is to answer mis¬ 
cellaneous inquiries relative to claims which have been once adjudicated and in which 
letters of complaint are received. 

Very respectfully, 


A. A. ASPINWALL, 

Chief of Western Division. 


Work report of the western division of the Bureau of Pensions. 


Months. 


' 5 , 

a 

5<-l 

o 


a 

'A 


1884. 


January. (*) 

February . 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December.. 


* There is no record of the number of 
1 , 1886. 


Examiners. 

Original claims sub¬ 
mitted. 

1 Average number to 

1 examiner. 

Increase claims sub¬ 
mitted. 

Letters written. 

Circulars. 

135 

1,910 

14.14 

1,198 

k 

* 

135 

1, 679 

11.54 

1,08B 



138 

1, 778 

12.16 

1,283 



138 

2, 084 

15.10 

1,510 



133 

1,993 

14. 38 

1,290 



135 

1, 992 

14.74 

1, 509 



125 

1,186 

9. 49 

1,073 



122 

1, 038 

8 . 50 

1,063 

, 


117 

1,152 

9. 84 

1, 058 



123 

1,172 

9. 53 

1,107 



119 

1,165 

9. 79 

1 , 216 



128 

1,638 

12. 79 

831 




Lowest number of 
claims submitted 
by an examiner. 

Highest number of 
claims submitted 
by an examiner. 

2 

39 

1 

32 

1 

48 

2 

63 

1 

45 

1 

61 

1 

27 

1 

35 

1 

32 

1 

31 

1 

39 

1 

44 


employes or of letters and circulars written prior to January 















































TiiE DEPARTMENT OF THE iNTERIOR. 155 

Worlc report of the ivestei'ti division of the Bureau of Pensions —Continued. 


Months. 

Numberof employes. 

Examiners. 

Original claims sub¬ 

mitted. 

Average number to 

examiner. 

Increase claims sub¬ 

mitted. 

Letters written. 

Circulars. 

Lowest number of 

claims submitted 

by an examiner. 

Highest number of 

claims submitted 

by an examiner. 

1885. 










January. 


122 

1,280 

11.96 

1,216 



2 

33 

February . 


123 

i, 229 

9.99 

818 



1 

32 

March. 


123 

ij 575 

12.72 

1 191 



1 

40 

April. 


127 

li 402 

11. 04 

1 527 



1 

40 

May. 


126 

ij 643 

13.04 

1 441 



1 

40 

June. 


121 

1, 857 

15. 71 

2, 685 



2 

43 

July. 


112 

b 485 

13. 68 

1, 524 




32 

August. 


112 

ij 108 

9. 89 

1, 783 



\ 

28 

September... 


107 

ij 470 

13. 73 

3, 287 



2 

34 

October. 


103 

b837 

17. 83 

2, 482 



2 


November. 


102 

2, 273 

22. 28 

2, 589 



2 

73 

December. 


98 

1,' 799 

18. 36 

2,710 



2 

60 

1886. 






January. 

148 

100 

2, 635 

26. 35 

1, 471 

8, 073 

20,186 

1 

55 

February . 

141 

94 

2, 071 

22. 03 

1,967 

7, 420 

16, 789 

1 

250 

March. 

140 

92 

1,927 

20. 94 

2, 689 

8, 585 

22, 392 

4 

44 

April. 

137 

89 

2, 028 

22. 79 

3,707 

8, 770 

19,157 

2 

53 

May. 

143 

91 

1,886 

20. 90 

1, 568 

9,036 

17, 899 

1 

41 

J uiie. 

136 

92 

2, 652 

28.93 

1,551 

8, 177 

15, 352 

1 

89 

July. 

144 

92 

1,648 

17. 91 

1,545 

9, 278 

17, 046 

1 

49 

August. 

142 

81 

1, 526 

18. 83 

2, 491 

-6, 799 

15. 938 

1 

56 

September. 

141 

93 

1,479 

15. 88 

1, 644 

7, 250 

14,110 

1 

46 

October. 

140 

84 

1, 732 

20. 06 

2,410 

8, 361 

16, 524 

1 

54 

November. 

140 

81 

910 

11. 23 

1,300 

7, 474 

17,107 

1 

38 

December. 

149 

83 

1, 074 

13 

2, 241 

9,361 

15, 724 

1 

37 

1887. 










January. 

147 

79 

1, 335 

17 

1, 862 

8, 6.52 

16, 463 

2 

46 

February . 

140 

84 

1, 690 

20. 01 

2, 673 

8, 771 

15, 363 

1 

51 


SOUTHEEN DlVISIOIf. 

Report of the southern division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and ivorJc, 
as requested by the Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 

Washington, D. C., April 1, 1887. 


Sir : In compliance witli your instructions, I have the honor to transmit herewith 
statements showing the amount and character of the business transacted in this di¬ 
vision during the periods therein stated, the principal business considered, and the 
methods pursued in its transaction. 

Very respectfully, 

D. W. WEAR, 

Chief Southern Division. 


Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 

























































156 


TilE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERlOK 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the southern division of the Bureau of Pensions : 


Character of business. 


1884. 

On hand January 1. 

Filed and reopened. 

Admitted. 

Kejected. 


1885. 


On hand January 1 
Filed and reopened 

Admitted. 

Kejected. 


1886. 


On hand January 1 
Filed and reopened 

Admitted. 

Kejected. 


1887. 

On hand January 1... 

Filed and reopened, January and February 

Admitted, January and February. 

Kejected, January and February. 

On hand March 1.. 


"eS 

g 

Tc 

'E 

o 

tc 

a 

S 

.u 

PM 

Pending increase, 

restoration, mis¬ 

cellaneous. 

CO 

.9 

'E 

o 

n 

n 

o 

O' 

K 

<0 

© 

H 

Amount on hand, 

pending, and un¬ 

disposed of at 
close of calendar 

year. 

50, 050 
8, 265 
4, 096 
4, 222 

3, 087 

4, 255 
2, 375 
1,868 

17,414 

70, 551 
12, 520 
6, 471 
6, 090 

53,137 







49, 997 
10,310 
5, 949 
4, 052 

3, 099 
9, 788 
3, 580 
3, 036 

21, 035 

74,131 
20,098 
9, 529 
7, 088 

53, 096 







50, 306 
8, 766 
6, 368 
3, 386 

6, 271 

9, 270 

4, 437 

5, 106 

*23, 543 

80,121 
18. 046 
10, 805 

8, 492 

56, 577 







49, 328 
1,395 

1, 019 
131 

2, 998 

2, 226 

1, 023 
688 

*25, 850 

81,176 

3, 621 

2, 042 
819 

55, 326 







49, 573 
: 

6,513 

25, 940 

82, 026 

56, 086 


* Estimated. 


This table, owiug to lack of sufiScient data, is only approximately correct. 


Work report of the southern division. 


1884. 

January. 

February . 

March. a.. 

April. 

May. 

jTiue. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December. 


1885. 

January. 

February . 

March. 

April. 

May. 

June. 





00 

. 





CO 




© 

a 

'O 

© 



a 

© 

© 

a 

© 

© 




cs 




> .2 

a 

ci 

a 

OO 



o 

"a 



© 

a 

'© 

a 

vj, 

•2 * 
'p. 

a 

© 

o 

© 

P 

p 

(H 

(C 

a 

*0 

^e number of 
to examiner. 

P 

OQ 

CO 

P 

s 

CJ 

© 

GO 

© 

© 

00 

(h 

o 

p 

© 

a 

p 

p 

© 

a 

© 

-a 

ns 

© 

o 

© 

.a 

a 

p 

p 

-ti 

C3 

M 

© 

P 

cc 

© 

.a 

a 

a 

a 

.9 

'ti 

C3 

© 

> 

© 

© 

p 

C3 

© 

(-4 

"S 

© 

o 

a 

rO 

3 

CO 

.S a 


w 

o 


M 

(-1 

O 


GO 


CO 

138 

105 

1, 206 


422 

9, 361 

19, no 


0 


24 

136 

102 

1,232 


389 

8, 725 

15,311 


2 


44 

139 

103 

1,133 

11 

316 

10,126 

17, 781 


1 


34 

143 

106 

1,241 


269 

10, 078 

17,170 


1 


29 

140 

105 

1,162 


332 

9, 442 

16,199 


1 


28 

138 

103 

1,130 

1 n 1. y 0 

143 

8, 732 

14, 431 


0 


28 

136 

103 

702 


138 

6, 727 

12,153 


2 


21 

123 

93 

583 

6 lit 

231 

6, 632 

9, 905 


1 


21 

123 

93 

670 

7 .19 
< 93 

397 

6,611 

9, 967 


0 


23 

125 

93 

629 

^ 53 

497 

7, 094 

12, 239 


1 


21 

129 

96 

632 

O 55 

289 

5, 509 

9,483 


0 


21 

133 

99 

735 

7 3*2 
' 55 

424 

8, 379 

12, 059 


0 


17 

136 

101 

805 

7 98 

312 

8, 471 

11, 992 


1 


24 

133 

98 

618 

6 ig 

223 

6,209 

10,583 


1 


20 

132 

98 

816 

8 fi 

415 

7, 225 

10, 441 


0 


26 

131 

97 

742 

7 63 
' 57 

549 

8, 421 

14, 280 


0 


25 

127 

96 

974 

10 ht 

594 

8, 096 

13,711 


1 


26 

124 

94 

1, 215 

12 11 

466 

7,450 

13,777 


1 


31 






















































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


157 


Work report of the 


southern division —Continued,. 


1885. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

Isovember. 

December. 


1886. 

Jaiuiary.. 

February . 

M arcb. 

April. 

May. 

Tune. 

July. 

August. . 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December. 


1887. 

January . 

February. 





05 




'd 

a 






<v 






0 ? 


a 

^ . 

a 


S 

0 } 

O g 

® a 

P 

00 

£ 

(0 

u-i 

o 

CC 

00 

a 

cS 

"o 

al 

S X 

a <» 

00 

a 

03 

*0 


O 


<2 O 

o 

<D 

P 

cS 


00 


a 

a 

c3 

CQ 

a 

Tc 

(h 

<V 

u 

12 ; 

X 

w 

o 

> 

o 

p 

M 

124 

96 

1,052 

10 u 

202 

122 

96 

790 


511 

120 

92 

937 

10 

684 

118 

92 

1,163 

12 

578 

120 

94 

1,172 

12 

686 

116 

92 

1,112 

12 

455 

117 

91 

1,439 

15 It 

720 

112 

87 

1,127 

12 1? 

660 

110 

85 

1,183 

13 If 

756 

109 

83 

1, 324 

15 If 

785 

106 

75 

1,152 

15 fi 

786 

112 

75 

1, 522 

20 If 

839 

114 

79 

1,099 

13 Sg 

405 

115 

82 

1. 057 

12 13 

553 

112 

76 

1,091 

14 II 

813 

113 

76 

960 

19 48 

467 

116 

74 

923 

12 II 

492 

121 

79 

851 

10 f| 

617 

119 

75 

950 

12 If 

606 

118 

76 

982 

12 li 

759 


Letters. 

Circulars. 

1 

6 , 804 
6 , 688 

7, 355 
8,412 
7, 232 
6 , 032 

5, 710 

6 . 559 
6 , 652 
6 , 755 

(*) 

8 , 750 

10, 423 

13, 205 

14, 548 
13, 624 

11, 042 

11,633 
10, 726 
11.298 

12, 464 
(*) 




















3 ^ 

.S o 

d a 

« a 

oi 

^ P 

O C3 

'rt ^ 

CO a 

^ a 


2 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 


0 

0 

0 

3 

3 

2 

5 

2 

2 

G 

3 

3 


1 

2 


*No record of letters and circulars was kept in this division after April 30,1886. 


a ^ 
.a « 

c3 a 

"a 

CC 

O 

ap 

a’3 

CO 

.SJ 

.Sfs 
W * 


38 

23 

33 

33 

30 

31 


51 
39 
39 

52 

39 
43 
32 

40 
43 
31 
28 
31 


37 

32 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the southern di¬ 
vision of the Bureau of Pensions in the Department of the Interior, includiug ome 
or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the division, and then showing in 
consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters, the employes through whose hands the same passes and by whom it is con¬ 
sidered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the 
same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Applications for ^jension having been received, jacketed, numbered, and recorded 
by the proper divisions of the office, are sent to the adjudicating divisions for consid¬ 
eration. Such cases as are sent to the southern division are properly filed and sent 
to examiners in their regular order. In original claims by soldiers in their own right 
the examiner at once calls upon the War Department for a report of the military his¬ 
tory of the soldier and of such medical treatment as he may have received while in 
the* service, and the claimant is directed to report to the nearest convenient board of 
examining surgeons for an examination. UiJon receipt of reports from the War De¬ 
partment and of the certificates of the examining surgeons, if the case is considered 
complete, it is submitted to the board of review for its consideration. If further evi¬ 
dence is deemed necessary a call is made upon the claimant or his attorney for such 
evidence. Upon its receipt it is considered by the examiner, and, if satisfactory, the 
case is submited to the board of review as above. If the testimony furnished is not 
considered satisfactory further calls are made until the case is believed to be com¬ 
plete. When a case is submitted for admission and the boards of review and re- 
review consider further evidence necessary the case is returned to this division with 
such instructions as are deemed proper. Calls in accordance with these instructions 
are made by t le examiner, and upon the receipt of the evidence the claim is resub¬ 
mitted. If the boards of review and rereview concur in the opinion that a claim 
should be admitted the case passes from the jurisdiction of this division. 

In case the records of the War Department or the evidence filed shows, in the opin¬ 
ion of the examiner, that the case should be rejected it is submitted to the board of 
review and,'if the opinion of the examiner is concurred in, the case is rejected and 
yoturned to the division, where it is placed in the rejected files. If rejection is not 
























































158 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


considered proper, the case is returned with suggestions which arc followed by the 

examiner, the case being considered as still pending. . , ^ -i -• 

When it appears that the merits of a case cannot bo determined from evidence inr- 
nished by the claimant in this ex parte method, the case is submibfccd, subject to tho 
approval of tho boards of review and rereview, for a special examination. 

The same general course of proceedure is followed in the consideration of claims of 
widows, minor children, and dependent relatives, although tho details differ some¬ 
what. . . , . . 1 • i. X xl 

It will be understood that in all cases the action of tho examiner is subject to tlio 

approval of the chief of tho divi sion. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the southern divis¬ 
ion of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 

1. The adjudication of claims for pension, on account of service in the late war 
in regiments from Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, 
NortlTCarolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, 
Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, and in the United States colored 
troops, and^correspondence incident to such adjudication, dho final action of this^ 
division in the adjudication of each case is subject to the .approval of tho boards of 

review and rereview. , i i i • i 

2. The consideration of niiscollaneous inipiiries relative to claims .already admitted 
on account of service in tho above named organizations, and of commnnications 
from persons believing themselves entitled to pensio i on account of such service. 

Respectfully transmitted. 

^ D. W. WEAR, 

Chief, Souihei'n DUision. 


OLD WAR AXD NAVY DIVISION. 

Report of the old War and Navy division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of busines 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circa 
lar of March 23, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C,, April 2, 1887. 

Sir: In compliance with instructions, I furnish herewith the information c.alled 
for by the Interior Department, March 23 last, for the use of the Senate Select 
Committee appointed “to inquire into and examine the methods of business and 
work in the Executive Departments,” and remain. 

Very respectfully, yours, 

J.AS. B. COIT, 

Chief, Old War and Navy Division. 

Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


methods of transacting business. 

Declaration for bounty land, or for such claims for pension as are adjudicated in 
this division, except for Army service in the late war, when received in the Bureau 
are sent at once to tho mail division, after having the date of receipt stamped upon 
them. The records are then searched for duplicates and claims on account of the 
same service by persons having a prior title, and in case of all claims for service pen¬ 
sion and other old war pension claims, search of records is made for any claim for 
bounty-land, which, if found, is applied to tho pension claim as proof of service and 
disability. Claims are j.acketed, numbered, .and recorded, charge slips are put in the 
tiles, and their receipt is acknowledged. To this point the work is done by miscel¬ 
laneous clerks. The claims then go to the examiner, by whom a medical examination 
is ordered if the claims are for disability pension ; calls for reports relative to serv¬ 
ice where the records of the Bureau do not supply the evidence are made on the Ad¬ 
jutant-General, the Quartermaster-General, the Paymaster-General, Secretary of tho 
Treasury, the Second Auditor, the Third Auditor, the Fourth Auditor, the Fifth Aud¬ 
itor, or the Register of the Treasury, the Secretary of the Navy, the Bureau of Equip¬ 
ment and Recruiting, or the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, or the Command¬ 
ant of tho Marino Corps, according to the character of the claim. If the claim is for 
disability, evidence of treatment for or the existence of the alleged disability in tho 
service is called for from one of the following Bure.aus, viz, the Surgeon-Gen oral of 
tho Army or Navy, tho Adjutant-General, the Second Auditor, the Third Auditor of 
the Treasury, or the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department. 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


150 


Tlie claimaut is iiotilied by the exauiiuer of any defect in the declaration, and as 
soon as reports of service and of treatment for disability are received, he calls upon 
the claimant or his attorney for the evidence required, if any, to complete the claim. 
Official calls made for evidence of service, &c., are recorded before they leave the 
division, and also the receipt of the reply; and examiners note all calls upon the 
back of the jacket of the claim, and note linal action in a special docket. When evi¬ 
dence in a-ny claim is received, the date of receipt is stamped upon it, and a record made 
that “evidence” in a specihed claim is received, and the evidence at once sent to 
this division, where it is assorted, and the records searched where the number is not 
given, then arranged numerically or alphabetically, as required by the class of claim, 
stamped with the date of receipt in the division, then applied to the claim, delivered 
to the examiner in regular order, and the date of such delivery stamped upon the 
evidence. When the examiner believes the claim to be complete, or that no ad¬ 
ditional evidence can be obtained by correspondence, he arranges the evidence under 
a brief face, which contains the name of the claimaut, his post-office address, the 
names of the organizations in which service has been rendered, with dates of enlist¬ 
ment and discharge, and a brief statement of the claimant’s allegations, stating whether 
submitted for admission, rejection, or special examination, with the name and address 
ot the attorney, and the fee to which he is entitled. Then the claim goes to the 
board of review, and from there to the special examination division, if to be inves¬ 
tigated, and to the board of rereview if to be admitted or rejected, for action or sub¬ 
mission to the Commissioner. From the board of rereview, a claim which is to be 
admitted, if for disability, goes to the medical division for decision of medical ques¬ 
tions, then to the board of review for rating, and dually to the certificate division 
for issuance of certificate and notification to claimaut. From the board of rereview 
bounty-land claims are returned to the division for issue of the warrant. 

Should the board of review and rereview concur in regarding the evidence insuf¬ 
ficient to establish the claim, it is returned to the division, indicating to the exam¬ 
iner the deficiency in the evidence. The division then takes the indicated course of 
action, or appeals therefrom to the Commissioner. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the division of Old War and Navy, in the Bureau of 
Pensions: 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed o f 
in 1884. 

Pending Jan. 
1, 1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

1 Disposed o f 
in 1885. 

a 

a 

•-So 

5=130 

ca rl 

'p »—1 
p 

Cl 

rz O 

•w 00 

V s 

0 ) 

W 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

p 

C3 

fcr.5B 

Ph 

Regular Army. 

Invalid, original... 

4,288 

1,269 

1,197 

4, 360 

1. 304 

1,477 

4,187 

1, 399 

1,108 

4,418 

Invalid, increase .. 

1,127 

1,170 

1, 264 

1,033 

1, 842 

1,684 

1,191 

1,911 

1, 542 

1, 5G0 

Widows, original.. 

1, 539 

449 

354 

1,634 

458 

331 

1,761 

503 

494 

1,770 

W idows, increase.. 

6 

16 

22 


22 

17 

5 

22 

16 

11 

Old War. 











Invalid, oiiginal.. 

1,468 

377 

210 

1,635 

247 

329 

1, 5.53 

340 

141 

1, 758 

Invalid, increase .. 

296 

343 

364 

375 

539 

546 

368 

484 

148 

704 

Widovv.s, original.. 

299 

116 

94 

321 

120 

87 

354 

166 

112 

408 

Widows, increase.. 

Navy. 

2 


9 


9 

9 











Invalid, original... 

2, 578 

776 

497 

2, 8.57 

820 

.586 

3, 091 

833 

604 

3, 320 

Invalid, increase .. 

298 

394 

331 

361 

595 

335 

621 

500 

711 

470 

AVidows, original.. 

661 

276 

215 

722 

288 

186 

824 

328 

226 

926 



11 

11 


12 

12 





VY ItlOWS, luCl - 

1812. 







Survivors, original 
Survivois, reissue . 
Widows, original.. 
Widows, reissue . 

83 

28 

1 

498 

1 

11 

1 

476 

1 

100 

45 

3 

67 

3 

78 

30 

33 

75 

865 

887 

386 

4 

640 

4 

633 

298 

386 

545 

.... 








Bounty Land. 











Original. 

Jluplicate. 

2,399 

214 

1,652 

961 

181 

169 

973 

104 

115 

1,022 

86 

30 

16 

100 

39 

11 

128 

17 

12 




a; ^ 


2Ut 

358 

31 

4 


67 

79 

18 


192 

128 

72 


2 


52, 


33 

4 ' 


p 00 


03 

O ci 
cc 


279 

351 

59 

2 


cS 

a — 


4, 352 
1. 507 
1,742 
13 


26 1,799 
35 748 

9 417 


157, 3,355 
101 497 

34 904 


74 

’565 


1, 031 
133 


Mexican war.—A large number of Mexican war claims were filed in this Bureau, but they were not 
transferred to this division lor adjudication until March la, 1887. 































































160 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Work performed hy examiners. 


Month. 

1884. . 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

Examiners on roll. | 

Claims submitted. 

Letters. I 

1 

Circulars. 

Examiners on roll. 

Claims submitted. 

Letter.s. I 

1 

1 Circulars. 

1 

! Examiners on roll. 

Claims submitted. 

j Letters. 

Circulars. 

Examiuers on roll. 

Claims submitted. 

Letters. 

Circulars. 

January . 

35 

581 

2, 701 

3,469 

30 

475 

2, 746 

3,512 

27 

676 

2, 861 

1, 820 

32 

728 

3,166 

3, 337 

February . 

34 

590 

2, 274 

2, 613 

31 

488 

2, 264 

2, 627 

25 

464 

1,692 

1, 390 

33 

697 

2, 867 

3,172 

Marcli . 

34 

517 

2, 578 

2, 915 

31 

577 

1,918 

2, 880 

24 

539 

2,619 

1,896 

.... 




April. 

32 

615 

2, 752 

3, 527 

31 

612 

2, 309 

2, 761 

25 

6 l0 

2, 446 

1,724 

. - 




Alay. 

35 

626 

2, 681 

2, 788 

32 

7.57 

2, 000 

2, 226 

27 

693 

2, 0.56 

2, 095 

.... 




June .. 

33 

517 

2,218 

2. 702 

30 

644 

2, 2.T2 

1,882 

30 

906 

2, 017 

1, 953 

.... 




J uly. 

31 

*287 

1, 934 

2, 054 

28 

551 

2, 113 

2, 024 

28 

532 

1, 758 

2,112 

.... 




August. 

32 

568 

1,927 

1, 953 

28 

414 

2, 207 

1,996 

25 

458 

1,643 

1,500 

.... 




September. 

32 

357 

2, 234 

2, 674 

27 

782 

1,760 

1,857 

26 

552 

1,793 

1,813 

.... 




October . 

32 

325 

2, 309 

2, 269 

27 

727 

2, 204 

2, 040 

30 

665 

2, 639 

2, 392 

.... 




November. 

32 

324 

1, 639 

2, 553 

27 

709 

2,118 

2,191 

31 

592 

2, 872 

2, 531 





December. 

32 

427 

2, 262 

3, 069 

28 

636 

2, 097 

1,899 

30 

534 

2, 996 

1,883 

.... 





* Emploj ed about half mouth on files. 


This list includes chief and assistant chief of division and chiefs of sections, none of whom were en 
gaoed in examining. 

Work in-rformed hy miscellaneous clerks. 


Month. 


January . 
Febiuary 
March... 
April .... 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August . 
September .. 
October... 
November 
December 


1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

No. of clerks 
on roll. 

Letters. 

Circulars. 

No. of clerks 
on roll. 

Letters. 

cc 

5 

o 

a 

No. of clerks 
on I oil. 

Letters. 

1 

1 

CC 1 

^ 1 

3 1 

^ 1 

5 1 

24 

497 

1,414 

22 

569 

1,315 

24 

1 

875 

1, 166 

24 

354 

1,314 

21 

332 

867 

25 

274 

8.50 

23 

420 

1,316 

22 

.542 

1, 651 

19 

654 ! 

1, 543 

23 

417 

1,647 

22 

657 

1, 261 

18 

513 

1,446 

23 

307 

1, 209 

22 

695 

1, 719 

19 

425 1 

1, 004 

24 

455 

1, 232 

23 

638 

1,113 

18 

313 

674 

-24 

439 

1, 360 

22 

760 

1,398 

19 

297 ; 

790 

22 

205 

1,422 

26 

706 

394 

18 

386 

548 

21 

315 

1, .580 

27 

466 

1,020 

18 

238 I 

747 

22 

363 

2, 334 

26 

468 

1,402 

18 

298 

1,158 

21 

257 

2, 470 

26 

306 

1, 045 

16 

2:k) ! 

439 

22 

379 

1,085 

25 

380 

904 

16 

270 

' 

363 


1887. 

No. of clerks 
on roll. 

; Letters. 

! 

Circulars. 

18 

19 

487 

543 

513 

515 
































* Part of month engaged on files. 


It is impracticable to report the amount of work performed by the clerks designated 
as “Miscellaueons,” who are engaged in recording, searching records, drawing claims 
from or returning, them to the liles, assorting, stamping, and applying evidence, pre- 
l)aring reports, in miscellaneous correspoudence, &c., their duties being so various in 
character that no common standard of measure can be applied. 

All claims for pension on account of disability or death due to service in all wars 
and in time of peace, from 1775 to the present time, excepting those due to army 
service in the late war, and all claims for service pension and bounty land, nnmber- 
iug in all—admitted, rejected, and pending—nearly one million, are on file in this 
division ; and the records relating to them are very voluminous and complicated. 

The various duties in connection with these claims, as indicated above, including 
an extensive correspoudence in relation to Revolutionary claims, and other claims 
which were adjudic-ated many years ago, require a large miscellaneous force, 
































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. Ifil 

Average number of employes during each month in 1884,1885,1886, and up to March 1,1887. 


Month. 


January,. 

February 

March... 

April.... 

May. 

June .... 


1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

Month. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

59 

52 

51 

50 

I July. 

55 

50 

47 


58 

52 

50 

52 

Aucuat... 

54 

54 

43 


57 

53 

43 


September... 

53 

54 

44 


55 

53 

43 


October... 

54 

53 

48 


58 

54 

46 


November. 

53 

53 

47 


57 

53 

48 


! December___ 

54- 

55 

46 






j 






Compliance with this paragraph, “The maximum and minimum amount of busi¬ 
ness transacted and disposed of by the employ6 doing the most and the employ^ doing 
the least in each division during each mouth in the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and uj) to 
March 1, 1887,’’ is impossible for the following reasons: The great variety of work as¬ 
signed to the Old War and Navy division makes constant transfer of clerks from one 
class of work to another, back and forth, according to the pressure, necessary, and the 
answering of the question implied in the above inquiry impossible. 

JAS. B. COIT, 

Chief, Old War and Navy Division. 


, r ^ 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

March 1. 

Number of working days.... 

307 

302 

307 

48 

A vftTflOTA af.tftndano.ft of Ani'nlov^a___ 

274 ‘ 

267 

275 

i 46 



‘Mavimnrn Tiiimbfir of dava nroafiTit . _ 

- 

282 

282 

291 

48 

"Minininm Tinnihor of flaya proaont. . . .. . 

225 

235 

200 

38 



SPECIAL EXAMINATION DIVISION. 

Report of the special examination division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by /Senate select committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., April 2, 1887. 

G-I5NEP.AL: In compliance with your directions I have the honor to submit the re- 
]!ort called for March 18 of the current year, by the Hon. F. M. Cockrell, chairman 
Senate Select Committee. 

This (the special examination) division has two branches, viz: a field force of 
special examiners (divided geographically into five districts, each under a supervis- ^ 
iug examiner here), and an office force of clerks (now divided into sections) whose 
prmcipal duty is to keep the field force supplied with work. 

Pension claims (with a slip of reference, stating the object of the examination) are 
received into this division for special investigation, generally from the adjudicating 
divisions and the board of review. On the receipt of a claim, it is first recorded by 
number and name in a book kept for that purpose. It is then opened and sufficient 
data taken, in an abstract form, from the papers to identify it and enable the office 
to answer any inquiries about it. This abstract is filed in the place of the case, which 
is then charged to and (with the reference slip or letter of instructions) mailed to a 
special examiner, who forwards a receipt for the case on its arrival. When the case 
is reached in its order—the oldest on file iu the Bureau generally having precedence— 
the special examiner notifies the claimant by mail of the probable date of examina¬ 
tion of his case. Within a period of two days prior to the probable date fixed by the 
said notice, a second notice is served by the special examiner in person on the claim¬ 
ant and an acknowledgment of such service obtained. At the expiration of the two 
days the claimant is fully advised (by the examiner) of all his rights and privileges 
of beiuf present in person, or by attorney (or both), during the investigation of his 
claim. ^When all accessible testimony bearing upon the point or points in question 
is obtained, the case is returned by mail from the field. It is theu reviewed to de- 

4402 INT- 11 

























































1G2 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


^ermine whether the special examiner has complied with the instructions accompa- 
iiying tlic Ccisc. If be has doiieso, the case is sent aud charged to the board of review 
for their action. 

I am, geueral, very respectfully, 

Chief Special Examination Division. 

General John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, aud disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the division of special examination in the Bureau 
of Pensions: 


Character of business. 

1 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1884. 

1 

Disposed o f 1 

in 1884. 

d 

cs 

rO 

o S 

a 

01 

Oh 

Received’dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Disposed of 

in 1885. 

The special examination of pension claims. 

Criminal cases included in above statement. 

15, 745 
118 

12, 282 
387 

13, 583 
*192 
3,941 
392 
456 
477 
1,830 
19, 000 

14, 144 
313 

11,110 
221 

16,164 
tlOO 
4, 920 
60 
677 
247 
2, 934 
30, 000 

np.t.iopw . . . 




















. .... . 

nreelihi 1 it,y iiiqiiirips _ _ __ 


19, 000 

25, 000 


30, 000 

11,000 

Attorneys’ calls, complaints. Department matters, 

A’.e reenrrlpfl .. . -- _ - 



Heplifts to inmripa of all plaaaea_ _ 


14, 000 
17,424 

6, 000 

3, 743 
114, 245 


7, 500 
22, 936 

6, 000 

4, 365 
121,155 

I.ettera a.iifl t,plporrnni« to apep.ial evniitiiTiera . _ 





Letters, telegrams, and requisitions from special ex- 
aminers. 


6, 000 

3, 743 
114, 245 

. 

6, 000 

4, 365 
121, 155 

Auditing per diem and expense accounts of special 

ftxaiTiinpirft..... 


Recording daily reports of special examiners. 




* Convictions, 156; acquittals, 36. t Convictions, 109; acquittals, 81. 


■ ^ 

Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 
1,1887. 

The special examination of pension claims.. 
Criminal cases included in above statement.. 
Letters to special examiners and others. 

9,390 

344 

15, 733 
274 

18, 494 
* 172 
3,996 
282 
1,086 
742 
2, 933 
50, 000 

6, 629 
446 

2, 738 
15 

2, 350 
t24 
369 
42 
92 
92 
84 
6, 500 

7, 017 
J437 

Reductions. 






Suspensions. 






Droppings. 






Rejections. 






Credibility inquiries. 


50, 000 

8, 500 


6, 500 

1,729 


Attorneys’ calls, complaints. Department 
matters, &c., recorded. 




Replies to inquiries of all classes. 


5,500 
22, 557 

5, 200 

4, 035 
113,107 


700 
5, 595 

686 

528 
15, 567 


Letters and telegrams to special examiners.. 






Letters, telegrams, and requisitions from spe¬ 
cial examiners. 


5, 200 

4, 035 
113,107 


686 

528 
15, 567 


Auditing per diem and expense accounts of 
special agents. 




Recording daily reports of special examiners. 





* Convictions, 115; acquittals, 57. t Convictions, 15; acquittals, 2; nol pros., 7, t Cases 

waiting action, 364 ; indictments, 73. 



































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


163 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business transacted 
and disposed ot in the special examination division of the Bureau of Pensions during 
the years specified: 


Character of busiuoss. 

1884. 

18?5. 

1886. 

1887 

(Tan.and 
Feb.). 

Total nniiiber of reports of cases by special examiners. 

22 , 621 

29, 396 

28, 035 

3,779 

Total number of depositions taken in same by special ex- 


aminers.. 

163, 268 

178, 400 

156, 282 

20,398 

Average work of the field force of the division each month : 

Reports . 

1, 88.5 

2, 449 

2, 336 

1,889 

Depositions.. 

13, 605 

14, 866 

13, 023 

10,199 

Average work of each special examiner per month: 


Reports. 

65 



7^ 

Depositions.. . 

485 

48§ 

4Ci 


Maximum work of each special examiner: 




Reports . 

(*) 

(*) 

37 

18 

Depositions. 

(*) 

(*) 

124 

111 

Minimum work of each special examiner: 



Reports .. 

(*) 

(*) 

2 

o 

Depositions . 

(*) 

(*) 

5 

6 

Average amount of work per month of the office force, viz: 



Average number credibility inquiries .... . 

Average number attorneys’ calls, Department matters, 

1,583 

2, 500 

4, 166 

3, 250 


&c. 

2, 083 
1,166 

917 

708 

864 

Average number of replies to inquiries of all classes_ 

650 

458 

350 

Average number letters and telegrams to special ex- 




aminers recorded .. . 

1,452 

1,911 

1 , 880 

2, 797 

Aveiage number letters, telegrams, and requisitions 

from special examiners recorded. 

500 

500 

433 

343 

Average number of per diem and expense accounts of 





special examiners audited.. 

312 

364 

336 

264 

Average number of daily reports of special examiners 





recorded.. 

9, 520 

10, 096 

9,425 

7, 783 


* Cannot be given in time allotted. 


The character of the work of each clerk in the office force being different from that 
of any other employd, and the constant change from one class of work to another, 
render it impracticable to give a comparative statement of the amount of work ac¬ 
complished by each employ^. 

It is impracticable to give the maximum and minimum days of attendance of the 
employ6 attending the most number of days and of the eniploj^e attending the least 
number of days, and the average number of emyloy6s during each mouth, in the time 
allotted, but in lieu thereof the following table shows the comparative number of 
emyiloy^s during the several months of the year (the time lost by the held force has 
been deducted, but that of the office force has not) : 


Month. 

1884. 

iSTumbf 

1885. 

?rof em] 

1886. 

doyes. 

1887 

(Jan. and Feb.). 


209 

467 

399 

317 

February.-. 

306 

468 

397 

316 


303 

465 

391 



322 

473 

389 



332 

455 

378 



326 

412 

347 



339 

341 

333 



375 

312 

336 



446 

360 

342 



448 

371 

345 



438 

381 

323 



462 

385 

296 













































































164 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE IN TERIOR. 


MKDICAL DIVISION. 


Ecport of the medical division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
2 : 3 , 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions. 
Washington, D. C., March'SI, 1887. 


Sir: In compliance with the circular of the Hon. Secretary of the Interior, dated 
March 23, 1887, I have the honor to submit the following report as to the method of 
transacting the business of the medical division of this Bureau, with the various de¬ 
tails of said business, made the subject of inquiry by the Senate of the United States. 
Very respectfully, 

JOHN CAMPBELL, 

Medical Referee. 


Hon. John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the medical 
division of the Bureau of Pensions office, in the Department of the Interior, includ¬ 
ing one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business 
matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The medical examiners are divided into sections, each having in charge a special 
class of work, as follows: 

(1) General and constitutional diseases. 

(2) Injuries and diseases of head, brain, and nervous system. 

(2) Injuries and diseases of eyes and other organs of special sense. 

(4) Injuries and diseases of thorax and thoracic organs. 

(5) Injuries and diseases of abdomen and abdominal organs. 

(6) Injuries and diseases of pelvis, pelvic and urinary organs. 

(7) Injuries and diseases of extremities. 

(8) Medical examinations. 

To the eighth section are referred all cases for examination by boards of surgeons 
or single surgeons in which it is siqiposed that special instructions are necessary and 
must be written. To this section also was assigned the class of cases coming- under 
the act of August 4, 1886. 

When pension claims reach the medical division they are first arranged or classified 
for distribution to the proper section, where they pass into the hands of the medical 
examiners, who, considering the medical evidence, determine whether the case shall 
be admitted or rejected, and, in the cases of admission, fix the rate at which pensions 
shall be paid. The action of the medical examiner is subject to the approval of the 
chief of section. The case then passes to the reviewer for a final examination. If the 
action is found correct it is ready for the signature of the medical referee, which com¬ 
pletes the medical action. 

The assistant medical referee and the two qualified surgeons constitute the examin¬ 
ing board of the Bureau, act as chiefs of sections, and otherwise assist the medical 
referee in the supervision and management of the details connected with and inci¬ 
dent to the medical work proper of the division. 

There is a very large amount of work performed, which can be understood and 
comprehended by statement, which has never been tabulated. The followiu<>- tables 
however, with the explanatory statements accompanying, will, it is hoped, show 
clearly the amount of business transacted and the methods under which it is done in 
a satisfactory manner. 

I cannot say that there has at any time within the period for which we have the 
data been any actual arrears of business in the medical division. Within my own 
personal knowledge there has been sufficient ouly to keep all eraployds busy, with 
the work in rapid transit. If there has been any falling behind in any department 
it has always by a little exertion been corrected in the space of a few days. 

Herewith are submitted all the details of the work of the medical division which the 
records preserved enable me to supply. 



Tni! t)KPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 165 


^^tatemellt sliowing tlio principal items of business transacted in the medical division 
of the Bureau of Pensions otlice, Department of the Interior. 

Adjudication of pension claims. 

Examination of surgeons’ certificates. 

Verification of surgeons’ accounts. 

Records. 

Correspondence. 

Instructions for medical examinations. 


Statement showing the number of employes and character of business transacted in 
the medical division of the Bureau of Pensions office, Department of the Interior. 


Medical referee. 

Assistant medical referee 

Qualiiied surgeons. 

Medical examiners. 

Clerks. 

Messengers. 


1 

1 

2 

18 

47 

2 


Total. 70 

One medical referee, one assistant medical referee, two qualified surgeons, and 
eighteen medical examiners have continued unchanged as to numbers since Jauuarv, 
1884. 

Seven clerks are employed on surgeons’ accounts. 

Three medical examiners and one clerk (formerly a medical examiner) are employed 
in reviewing the work of sections. 

Fifteen medical examiners are employed in the adjudication of pension claims. 

Twelve clerks, also physicians, are employed in the adjudication of pension claims. 

Three clerks, also physicians, are enqiloyed in the examination of surgeons’ certifi¬ 
cates.. 

One clerk, also a physician, is employed in the classification of work. 

One clerk has general supervision of clerical force. 

One clerk has charge of roster of examining surgeons. 

One clerk engaged as stenographer and type-writer. 

One clerk employed in supervision of record work. 

Seven clerks engaged upon surgeons’ accounts. 

Fifteen employed upon records. 

Three clerks employed upon files. 


The following statement shows number of pension cases adjudicated during the pe¬ 
riods specified below, in the medical division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department 
of the Interior: 



Current. 

Miscella¬ 

neous. 

Total. 

Quarter ending September 30,1884 .... 

18, 259 
13,618 
18, 650 
32, 041 

9, 250 
7, 085 
3,319 
5, 299 

27, 509 

20, 7U3 

21, 969 
37, 340 

December 31, 1S84...... 

March 31.1885. 

June 30,1885 .... 

Total. 

Qnai’ter endino' September .30, 188.5.... 

82, 568 

24, 953 

107, 521 

23. 230 
32, 574 
34,187 
34, 752 

8 , 496 
13, 802 
18, 540 
17, 830 

31,726 
46, 376 
52, 727 
52, 582 

December 31, 1.S8.5.______ 

March 31,1886 . 

June 30, 1886..... 

Total. 

124, 743 

58, 668 

183,411 

Quarter ending September .30, 1886 __ ____ 

23, 973 
26, 528 
31, 417 

15, 934 
14,172 
2, 837 

39, 907 

40, 700 
34, 254 

Deceniliei’ 31, 1886 ______ 

M .a rc.li .31, 1887 ..-..... 



There Lave also been adjudicated during the last quarter under the act of August 
4, 1886, 3,042 cases. 







































166 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The followiDg statement shows the nnmher of surgeon’s certificates received anu 
accepted and returned for correction during the periods specilied below, in the medi¬ 
cal division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior: 



Keceived 
and ac¬ 
cepted. 

Eeturned 
for cor¬ 
rection. 

Total. 

Quarter ending September 30, 1885... 

36, 097 
40, 710 

37, 046 
44, 389 

1, 9.53 

2, 421 

2, 579 

3, 023 

38,050 
43,131 
39, 625 
47-, 412 

Deeemlier 31,188.5_____ 

March 31, 1886 . 

June 30, 1886 ..... 

Total. 

Quarter ending September 30, 1886 ..... 

158, 242 

9, 976 

168, ^>18 

85,156 
62, 656 
40, 683 

~4, 443 
2, 556 
1,033 

89, 599 
6.5, 212 
41,716 

December 31, 1886. 

March 31, 1887. 


All medical examinations ordered within the Bureau are sent to the medical divis¬ 
ion to be recorded and mailed, and the certificate of examination, when made, is re¬ 
ceived by the medical division, where it is also recorded and examined as to its fullness, 
compared with the board account corres])ondiug, with a view to the correctness of the 
account, and if satisfactory is accepted as to both the certiticate and the account. If 
not, it is returned to the board for correction or amendment, as the case may be. 

Statement showing the examining surgeon’s accounts during the periods specified in 
the medical division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 


Fees for fiscal year ending June 30, 1385.$010,402 00 


Fees for quarter ending September 30, 1885 ... 155,331 31 

December 31, 1885. 183,581 27 

March 31, 1880 . 170,890 29 

June 30, 1880 . 208,898 27 


Total... 727,707 14 


Fees for quarter ending September 30,1880. 1,58,173 00 

December 31, 1880 . 173, 070 90 

March 31, 1887 . 170,232 11 


The report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, does not include tlie fees for 
examinations made during the quarter ending June 30, 1885, but does include those 
for the quarter ending J une 30, 1884, and a few other examinations made prior thereto, 
where the surgeons had delayed rendering their accounts. 

In verifying these accounts every item is compared with the corresponding certifi¬ 
cate and the record. 


Statement showing the amount of correspondence during the periods specified be¬ 
low, in the medical division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 


Letters written during the quarter ending— 

September 30, 1884. 1,019 

December 31, 1884. [[[[ ’(>23 

March 31, 1885.!!!”'! 942 

June 30, 1885 .*!!!!”]! 1 171 


Total for year.;. 4 ^ q 55 


Letters written during quarter ending— 

Septeiuber 30, 1885 . 

December 31, 1885. 

March 31, 1886 . 

June 30, 1886. 


Total for year. 

Letters written during quarter ending— 

September 30, 1886.. 

December 31, 1886 . 

March 31, 1887. 


3,933 


695 

746 

807 


























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


167 - 


The labor involved in correspondence is very great, in consequence of its requiring 
the withdrawal of cases and papers from the tiles in almost every instance, and often¬ 
times a largo number. No formal letters can be used. Each one must cover the i)ar- 
ticnlar point or points involved and is sui generis. 

Instructions for medical examinations form no part of the above correspondence. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the medical di¬ 
vision of the Bureau of Pensions Department of the Int erior, during the periods spec- 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J une. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

49 

48 

48 

49 

50 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

57 

48 

1885.. 

45 

41 

40 

40 

40 

41 

45 

45 

50 

49 

51 

47 

1886. 

50 

50 

51 

51 

51 

63 

63 

65 

73 

73 

73 

73 

1887 (to Mareli 1)__ 

73 

70 

70 






















Tho foregoing statistics are all that I have been able to compile from the data pre¬ 
served and accessible. 

Respectfully submitted. JOHN CAMPBELL, 

Medical Referee. 


BOAKD OP EXAMINING SURGEONS FOR PENSIONS. 

DeparTxMent of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., March 31, 1887. 

Sir: Pursuant to your directions of this date, I have the honor to submit the at¬ 
tached report, as per order of Hou. H. L. Muldrow, Acting Secretary of the Interior, 
dated the 29th instant, which says: “Please furnish me, as soon as practicable, the 
number of boards of examining surgeons for pensions, and the number of the mem¬ 
bers of such boards, and the number of individual examining surgeons of pensions.” 

Verv respectfully, 

PHILIP H. BARTON, 

Hon. John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions. Assistant Medical Referee. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the medical division of the Bureau of Pensions: 


' 

No. of boards. 

No. of members 
of boards. 

No. of single 
surgeons. 


CQ 

O 

rO 

o 

6 

No. of members 
of boards. 

No. of single 
surgeons. 




1 

Missouri. 

29 

86 

28 




3 

Montana Territory. 

1 

3 

5 


5 

14 

8 

Nebraska. 

16 

47 

25 


5 

14 

11 

Nevada. 



2 


3 

9 

' 12 

New Hampshire. 

10 

30 

9 


6 

18 

5 

New Jersey. 

5 

15 

15 


17 

49 

18 

New Mexico Territory. 



6 

jJaKota xcrritoiy.. 

1 

3 


New York... 

32 

96 

58 


2 

6 


North Carolina. 

3 

9 

10 

jjistnct 01 ooiumuiti.. 

3 

7^ 

6 

Ohio. 

52 

154 

30 


2 

6 

2 

Oregon. 

1 

3 

9 




4 

Penn.sylvania. 

46 

133 

43 


48 

138 

40 

Rhode Island... 

1 

3 



49 

14.5 

27 

South Carolina. 



2 




3 

Tennessee. 

7 

19 

20 

Iowa... 

41 

121 

35 

Texas. 

2 

9 

6 

o 

11 

Kansas. 

30 

20 

84 

60 

37 

29 

Utah Territory. 

Vermont. 

8 

24 

9 

Kentucuy — ••• 

1 

3 

1 

Virginia. 

2 

6 

8 


17 

50 

18 

Washington Territory. 

2 

6 

6 


4 

12 

6 

West Virginia. 

8 

24 

15 


g 

24 

20 

Wisconsin. 

14 

39 

39 

Massachusetts 

1^1 ichin __............. 

30 

90 

25 

Wyoming Territory. 



5 

Minnesota. 

14 

42 

18 

5 

Total. 

547 

1, 603 

689 
























































































































168 


THE HEPAUTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


LAW DIVISION. 

Report of the law division^ Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and tcorJc, as 
requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 

Ap>ril 2, 1887. 

Sir : In accordance with your Instructions and in answer to the call of Hon. F. M. 
Cockrell, chairman of the Senate Select Committee “ to inquire into and examine the 
methods of business and work in the Executive Departments of the Government, 
the time and attention devoted to the operations thereof hy the persons employed 
therein, and generally to iuquire into and report to the Senate the cause of the delay 
in transacting the public business said to exist in some of the Departments,” and 
answering the requests for information in the order in which they are set out in the 
letter of Mr. Senator Cockrell to the Secretary of the Interior, I have the honor to 
report as follows : 

By appointment as law clerk of the United States Pension Bureau I qualified and 
entered upon the discharge of my duties on the 25th day of September, A. D. 1885. 
At that date there were in the office of the law clerk two female copyists, and I am 
unable to advise you what the duties of the law clerk were, how they were dis¬ 
charged, nor furnish you with any detailed statement of the work in that office be¬ 
yond the simple statement that the law clerk seems, X)rior to that dat , to have had 
no specified duties beyond reporting i)ending appeals to the Secretary of the Interior. 

The records of the office consisted in a number of letter-xiress cojiy books and cer¬ 
tain dockets indorsed “ appeal dockets.” 

My experience shows that the dockets were very imperfectly kept, were incomplete 
in method, and as a basis for any definite statement wholly unreliable. Never¬ 
theless, relying upon such data as are furnished by the records referred to, in answer 
to the first question for information, that is, for a “detailed statement showing 
the amount and character of business pending in each division on the 1st day of 
January, 1884,” I have the honor to advise you that there would aiipear to have been 
pending in the office of the law clerk on the 1st day of January, 1884, 533 appeals. 
Between January 1, 1884, and January 1, 1885, there were reeeived in the office of 
the law clerk of the Pension Bureau 2,188 appeals, and during the calendar year 1885 
there were decided by the Commissioner, of the pending appeals, and transmitted to 
the Secretary, appeals to the number of 1,472, so that on the 1st day of January, 1885, 
there were pending for report by the Commissioner and decision by the Secretary 
appeals to the number of 1,249. 

Between the 1st day of January, 1835, and the 1st day of January, 1886, there were 
received appeals to the number of 2,860, and during the calendar year 1885 appeals 
were decided by the Secretary to the number of 1,527, and there were pending in the 
office of the law clerk on the 1st day of January, 1886, for report by the Commissioner 
and decision by the Secretary, appeals to the number of 2,592. 

Between the 1st day of January, 1884, and the 25th day of September, 1885, an ex¬ 
amination of the letter-press copy books of the so-called reports upon ijending appeals 
show virtually nothing in any of these cases beyond letters of transmittal. 

On the 25th day of September, 1885, the force assigned to duty at the desk of the 
law clerk, which desk was known in the Bureau of Pensions as the “appeal desk,” 
consisted of a law clerk at a salary of J|2,000; two clerks. Miss Georgiana Kenny ’a 
clerk at $1,400, and Mrs. Anna M. Cleary, at a salary of $1,200. ’ 

Shortly after my advent to office, the work of the law clerk being increased by refer¬ 
ences upon questions of law, from the desk of the honorable Commissioner of Pensions, 
the deputy commissioners, and the several chiefs of division, ujion my request the 
Commissioner assigned to me as a stenographer, on the 23d day of October, 1885 a 
young man, carried at that time upon the pension rolls as a ‘‘messenger boy,” Harry 
Lineaweaver, at the salary of $400. ® ’ 

Mrs. Anna M. Cleary being, by order of the Commissioner, transferred to the board 
of re-review, at a date that I am unable particularly to state, Miss Mary E. Weeks was 
assigned to the office of the law clerk, drawing at the date of her assignment a salarv 
of $900. 

Between the 24th day of September, 1885, and the Ist day of January, 1886 with 
the sanction of the Commissioner of Pensions, I took such steps as were then possible 
to establish a proper and complete system of recording the work of the law clerk 'and 
more especially devoted much time to establishing a more careful and exhaustive form 
of report on pending appeals for the consideration and signature of the Commissioner 
By Order No. 125, dated January 26, 1886, a division was created by the Commis¬ 
sioner of Pensions, to be known as the “ law division,” and for the first time the duties 
of the law clerk and such clerks as might be assigned were, in a measure, clearlv de- 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. lG9 


fined, and a copy of Order No. 125, creating the law division, is hereto annexed and 
marked Exhibit A. 

I found that upon the question of attorneys, their recognition, their rights under 
the law, methods of considering complaints, rectifying errors in both the recognition 
of attorneys and the payment of foes, there -was no system, record, or anything like a 
nniformif.y of precedent in any of the questions so presented. 

By instructions of the Commissioner of Pensions, aud under his direction, the old 
rules of practice were revised in toto, and a new set of rules promulgated, taking 
effect on the Iskday of February, 1886. Further than that, that no attorney might 
claim nor any clerk have the power to give to an attorney precedence over any other, 
I caused to be ])repared a system of dockets known as “attorney aud fee dockets,’^ 
numbered in consecutive order aud entered aud acted upon as received in this Bureau, 
a sample sheet of wdiich docket, as better suggesting the nature of this part of the 
work is hereto annexed and marked Exhibit B. 

Further, finding that, where these questions had been once considered and the same 
questions were again presented in any given claim, a great amount of time and labor 
was unnecessarily ex^iended in going through all of .the papers in the claim, to reach as 
a rule w'hat comparatively few papers were necessary to decide a question of right 
to recognition, I caused to be prepared, uuder the direction of the Commissioner, a 
system of fee envelo^ies, corres])onding to any given docket number, into which are 
jdaced all of the papers relating to fee questions, recognition, and other questions 
strictly appertaining to rights of attorneys as distinct from the rights of the claimant, 
indorsed with the docket entry, so that a question having been once handled there is 
neither loss of time nor unnecessary labor in handling either the same question or in 
deciding a question of recognition after action has been once had in this division. A 
copy of the envelope referred to is hereto annexed and marked Exhibit C. 

Upon the organization of the law division, I subdivided it into three sections, first 
known as the “appeal section,” the “attorney aud fee section,” aud the “criminal 
aud notary public section,” but as the law division increased in numbers and in the 
character and nature of its duties, at a later date the division was subdivided into 
three sections, known, respectively, as Sections A, B, and C, which organization of 
division is now in operation. 

As complete and full a reply to the letter of Mr. Senator Cockrell as I am able to 
make, the history of each one of these sections is as follows: 

Section A was, from the time of the organization of the division, charged with 
the disposition of pending appeals. On February 1 the section consisted of Mr. 
Gideon A. Lyon, at a salary of $1,800 ; Mr. J. A. Whitcombe, at a salary of $1,400; and 
Mr. Frank Claudy, at a salary of $1,200. 

On the 1st day of April, 1886, I assigned Mr. S. P. Pearson to duty in Section A, 
as clerk at a salary of $1,600. 

On May 20, 1886, I assigned Mr. O. H. Rnndle to duty in that section, at a salary 
of $l,b00, and on the same day Mr. Joseph Dickinson at a salary of $1,600, Mr. Theo¬ 
dore Sargeant at a salary of $l,fc00, Mr. E. B. Oluistead at a salary of $1,000, and on 
November 5, Mr. J. D. Haile at a salary of $1,000, on November 15, Mr. A. K. Arnold 
at a salary of $1,400, and Mr. Manual Johnson at a salary of $1,400. 

On October 26, 1886, Mr. Horah, who was in the division only a few days, was also 
assigned to this section. 

Subsequently both Mr. Dickson and Mr. Whitcombe were transferred to other di¬ 
visions of the office, so that Section A, as constituted to day, consists of Mr. Gideon 
A. Lyon, $1,800; Mr. O. H. Ruudle, $1,800; Mr. S. P. Pearson, $1,600; Mr. Manual 
Johnson, $1,400; Mr. A. K. Arnold, $1,400 ; Mr. F. Claudy, promoted October 25,1886, 
$1,400; Mr. J. D. Haile, $1,000, and Mr. E. B. Olmstcad, $1,000; aud in connection 
with Section A aud with the Congressional aud other correspondence connected 
with the pending appeals and the strictly clerical work connected with the records, 
are assigned Mr. P. F. Sullivan, $1,000; Miss Georgiana Kenny, $1,400; Miss N. E. 
Royer, $1,400, aud as type-writers aud copyists, Mrs. A. H. Woodall at a salary of 
$1,000, aud Mr. R. E. Mattingly at a salary of $900. 

I have the honor to annex as Exhibits D aud E, respectivelj^, a sheet of the old 
dockets and a sheet of the new dockets, as suggesting a completer form of keeping 
the records at present than uuder the old system, and an enormous saving of time 
in the handling of cases. 

Each of the gentlemen connected with this work of Section A have been reqiiired 
by me to keep daily a memorandum of the cases acted upon by them, and I submit 
as marked Exhibit F, a statement of the time aud number of cases disposed of by each 
clerk in section A, mouth by month, from their advent into the division to the 1st of 
March, 1887. 

Section B has charge of the records of attorneys, pension notaries, notaries pub¬ 
lic, justices of the peace, and the files of all officers connected with the prosecution of 
pension claims as attorneys or authorized to administer oaths, aud to this section are 


170 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


assignedt liree clerks—Mr. Alonzo Weeks, .$1,400 5 Miss Etnniilly Browne, $1,200; an<l 
Miss Carrie Maher, $1,000. 

The work of this section is a matter of detail, pure and simple, and I have the honor 
to annex, and marked Exhibit G, the report of the work done by this section Irom 
the 1st day of February, 1886, to the close of business hours on the 28th day ot Feb¬ 
ruary, 1887. 

It is impossible in this section, or indeed in any other section, to state the relative 
amount of work done by each clerk, nor is the estimate of the number of cases dis¬ 
posed of a fair criterion with reference to the ability or industry of any clerk, since it 
may happen that one man will find a case involving no difficult point of consideration, 
and dispose of two or three in a day ; whereas another man may find cases requiring 
consideration, study, and care, extending over several days. 

I have the honor to annex hereto, marked Exhibit H, an itemized statement, as 
shown by the api)eal dockets, of all the cases received and reported to the Secretary 
betw'een the Ist day of January, 1884, by calendar years, to the 28th day of February^ 
1887; but up to the 1st of October, 1885, I do not believe chat these records are reli¬ 
able or the data absolutely correct. From that date on, however, the statement is ab¬ 
solutely correct. 

Section C has charge of the investigation of criminal charges, of the recognition 
of attorneys, discipline of attorneys, the certification of fees to attorneys in disputed 
claims, the correction of errors in the action of the adjudicating divisions in the matter 
of recognition or certification of fees, and all correspondence relating to any one of 
these questions. 

To this section are assigned Mr. E. A. Harding, .$1,800 ; Mr. C. L. Whelpley, $2,000 ; 
Mr. V. E. King, $1,600; Mr. E. E. Fuller, $1,200 ; Mr. S. S. Simpson, $1,200 ; Mr. C. C. 
Williams, $1,400; and as copyists, Miss Mary E. Weeks, $1,200; Mrs. A. De K. Shattuck, 
$900, and Mrs. M. A. Winslow, $1,200. And I annex hereto, as showing the work of 
this section collectively and individually, marked Exhibit I, and the individual re¬ 
ports of Messrs. E. E. Fuller, V. E. King, and Charles L. Whelpley, and the report of 
Miss Weeks. 

Under my instructions, Mr. E. A. Harding has general charge of this section, and both 
the nature of his wmrk and the time necessarily taken in the proper supervision of the 
work of the clerks in the section renders any estimate by detailed statement of the 
work done by him impossible. 

At my own desk I have, as an assistant, in reviewing questions of law presented for 
decision, answering correspondence upon either the coustruction of the iieusiou laws 
or the practice of the office, and upon all of the comparatively legal questions, Mr. E. 
Bierer, jr., clerk, at a salary of $1,800, and as a stenographer. Miss Frances E. Hewlett. 

My own duties consist in reviewing all reports on appeals before they are submitted 
for the signature of the Commissioner, the supervision and direction of all matters sent 
from the bureau of criminal prosecution, the decision of questions presented from the 
diflerent divisions of the Bureau upon the law and jiractice, the presentation orally of 
such points as may be so directed by the Commissioner of Pensions, and generally the 
discharge of all such duties as from time to time are laid upon me by the Commis¬ 
sioner. 

I have inaugurated in the law division an absolutely accurate record of every item 
of business transacted. I have divided the correspondence into systematic subdiv'is- 
ions, and have caused press copies to be taken of every question propounded and an¬ 
swered by me as law clerk, or from the division, over my signature. 

By direction of the Commissioner of Pensions, I have further prepared, upon ques¬ 
tions involving general principles of law or practice in the Bureau, a record of rul¬ 
ings to the number of 206. These rulings cover questions of law, involving such 
questions as legitimacy, marriage, divorce, guardianship, evidence, presumption, and 
other questions incident to the iirosecution of pension claims before this Bureau. 

By direction of the Commissioner of Pensions, since the 1st of January, 1887, I have 
been personally charged with the general direction of criminal prosecutions in the 
matter of referring to the Attorney-General’s Office for-prosecution, offenders against 
the pension laws. 

Further, by order of the Commissioner, I caused to be prejiared a statemeut to the 
Attorney-General, of all criminal cases pending for prosecution in the several dis¬ 
tricts of every State and Territory in the Union, and have opened a new set of 

criminal dockets,” eliminating from the old dockets cases either barred by the 
statute of limitations or ended by conviction or acquittal, and am now, by the di¬ 
rection of the Attorney-General to the several district attorneys throughout the 
United States, advised through the honorable Commissioner of Pensions of the 
status of every pending criminal prosecution and the progress and action in all of them. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 

Very respectfully, 

Hon. John C. Black, Commissioner of Pensions. 


JAMES M. WARD. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


171 


Ordor 125. 

Dkpartment of the Interior, 

Pension Office, 
Washinqton, D. C., January 20, 1886. 

A divisioQ to bo kuown as tlio law division of tlie Pension Office is hereby estab¬ 
lished and will be operative from and after February 1, 1886. 

Mr. James M. Law, law clerk, is hereby designated as chief of said division. 

The following-named persons will report to Mr. Ward for instructions and duty in 
connection with said division : 

E. A. Harding, J. M. McCoy, Alonzo Weeks, Mrs. M. P. Winslow, Miss Carrie Maher, 
and Miss Emily Brown, of the special examination division ; Charles M. Whelplej'-, 
V. King, S. P. Pearson, J. A. Whitcombe, of the miscellaneous division ; George A. 
Lyon, of the Southern division, and F. A. Claudy, of the Western division. 

All matters relating to attorney’s fees; all matters relating to the standing of at¬ 
torneys practicing before this Bureau; all matters relating to appeals from the decis¬ 
ions of the Commissioner of Pensions to the Secretary of the Interior will be sent to 
this division. Other duties will, from time to time, be indicated by the Commis¬ 
sioner. 

All rulings and orders of the Commissioner of Pensions relating to the disposition 
of cases, or to the lavvs and practice of the office, will be transmitted through the 
chief clerk immediately to the law division for record and preservation, as will, also, 
all rulings and decisions of the Secretary of the Interior, or other law officer, touching 
the conduct, practice, and business of the Pension Bureau. 

The chief of this division is charged with the duty of preparing for publication 
l)y the chief clerk all rulings and decisions affecting the practice of the office and 
business therein. 

All mail matter pertaining to the various questions above assigned to the law di¬ 
vision will be sent immediately to said division. 

JOHN C. BLACK, 

Commissioner. 


No. 9588. 


Action. 


Name of Attorney, 
Name of Claimant, 
Service, 

Co., Neg’t, 

Number, 
Action desired, 


Docket No. 

ATTORNEY: 

« 

CLAIMANT : 
SERVICE: 

Co., Keg’t, 

No., 

Filed law division, 

Keturned to files, 


NOTES: 


Docket No. 2400. Appeal of 


188 . 

Claim No. 


Nature of Appeal, 


Attorney, 


Report called for, 


Commissioner’s action. 


Report transmitted, L. B. p. 


Decision received. 


Decision transmitted, L. B. p. 





















172 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


1886. 


1886. 


Mr. Claudy, for February and March.74 

Mr. Claudy, for April. 49 

Mr. Claudy, for May. 52 

Mr. Claudy, for June.77 

Mr. Claudy, for July.80 

Mr. Claudy, for August. 60 

Mr. Claudy, for September.45 

Mr. Claudy, for October.59 

Mr. Claudy, for November.61 

Mr. Claudy, for December.39 

Av^erage per month. 54 


Mr. Olmsted, from May 20. 16 

Mr. Olmsted, for June. 37 

Mr. Olmsted, for July. 38 

Mr. Olmsted, for August. 29 

Mr. Olmsted, for September. 24 

Mr. Olmsted, for October. 26 

Mr. Olmsted, for November. 29 

Mr. Olmsted, for December. 24 

Average per month. 30i 


1887. 


1887. 


Mr. Claudy, for January.48 

Mr. Claudy, for February.45 

/ * 


Mr. Olmsted, for January.53 

Mr. Olmsted, for February. 89 

Average per month. 71 


A rerage per month. 46^ 

During this period he had thirty days’ leave. 
1886. 


Mr. Lyon, for February.34 

Mr. Lyou, for March. 23 

Mr. Lyon, for April.35 

Mr. Lyon, for May. 53 

Mr. Lyon, for June.55 

Mr, Lyon, for July. 30 

Mr. Lyon, for August. 12 

Average per mouth. 35 


1886. 


Mr. Pearson, for April.30 

Mr. Pearson, for May. 58 

Mr, Pearson, for June.69 

Mr. Pearson, for July.93 

Mr. Pearson, for August. 10 

Mr. Pearson, for September.70 

Mr. Pearson, for October. 65 

Mr. Pearson, for November. 4 

Mr. Pearson, for December. 2 

Average per month.44J 


1886. 


Mr. Sargeaut, from May 20. 11 

Mr. Sargeant, for June. 16 

Mr. Sargeant, for July. 26 

Mr. Sargeant, for August.37 

Mr. Sargeant, for September. 4 

Average per month. 22 


Mr. Sargeant was absent on leave during the 
most of the month of September, and was dis¬ 
missed on October 5, 1886. 

1886. 


Mr. Dickinson, from May 20. 5 

Mr. Dickinson, for June. 15 

Mr. Dickinson, for July. 21 

Mr. Dickinson, for August. 14 

Mr, Dickinson, for September. 7 

Average per month. 14 J 


Mr. Dickinson was transferred from the divis¬ 
ion on September 18, 1886. 

1886. 

Mr, Johnson, for December. 13 

1887. 


1887. 


Mr. Pearson, for January.-.. 89 

Mr. Pearson, for February. 53 

Average per month. 71 


Mr. Pearson acted as chief of the section from 
November 1 to December 29, 1886, and made dur¬ 
ing said period but five reports on cases; ho has 
also been assigned to the duty of replying to mis¬ 
cellaneous correspondence since February 18,1887, 
and replied to one hundred and forty inquiries 
from said date to March 1 , and reported upon four 
appeals. 

1886. 


Mr. Rundel, from May 21. 11 

Mr. Rundel, for June. 46 

Mr, Rundel, for July. 43 

Mr, Rundel, for August. 44 

Mr. Rundel, for September... 39 

Mr. Rundel, for October. 31 

Mr. Rundel. for November.28 

Mr. Rundel, for December (absent on leave).. 00 

Average per month.30 

1887. 

Mr. Rundel, for January. 44 

Mr. Rundel, for February.36 

Average per month..40 


Mr. Johnson, for January. 22 

Mr.-Johnson, for February..32 

Average per month.27 


Mr. Johnson was employed on miscellaneous 
work from November 16, 1886, to December 1 , 
1886, and was on leave during the month of De¬ 
cember. 

1886. 


Mr. Arnold, for November.,. 12 

Mr. Arnold, for December. 27 

Average per month. 19 } 

1887. 

Mr. Arnold, for January. 32 

Mr. Arnold, for February. 35 

Average per month. 33 ^ 


Mr. Arnold was employed on miscellaneous 
work from November 16 to about December 1 , 


1886. 

1886. 

Mr. Haile, for November. 17 

Mr. Haile, for December. 30 

Average per month. 23^ 

1887. 

Mr, Haile, for January. 34 

Mr. Haile, for February. 42 

Average per month. 38 






























































































tup: department of tpie interior. 


173 


Mr. Whitcoiubo, one of the original detail to the law division, was transferred 
from the division on March 18,188o, and there is no record of any work disposed of 
by him during the month and eighteen days that he remained in the division. 

Mr. Horah was in the law division from October 27, 188t;, to November 17, 1886, 
and the records do not show the work done by him. 

After the division was reorganized and divided into sections, Mr. Lyon was placed 
in charge of section A, and since which time he has not been employed in report¬ 
ing on appeals. 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washing ton, D. C., March 31, 1887. 


WORK REPORT—SECTION B. 


The following is a report of the amount and class of'work done by the desk of clerk 
in charge of records of attorneys, pension notaries, notaries public, justices of the 
peace, and files for the same, from P"ebruary 1, 1886, the date of the organization of 
the law division, to P^ebruary 28, 1887, inclusive: 

Records searched and the standing of attorneys certified to chiefs of di visions in— 

Original claims.... 51, 498 

Increase claims. 81,647 

Powers of attorneys. 15,882 

Examiner’s slips. 8,3^2 

The work pro^ierly assorted and distributed to the several divisions. 

Circular letters with blank oaths of allegiance and instructions mailed to per¬ 
sons desiring to qualify as attorneys, and record made of same.. 2,266 

Certificates of qualifications and oaths received and forwarded to the honor¬ 
able Secretary of the Interior for his consideration, and record made of the 

same. 560 

New attorneys and agents certified by the honorable Secretary of the Interior 
as having been admitted to practice before this and other Bureaus of the De¬ 
partment, and their names entered on the roster. 1,661 

Orders signed by the honorable Commissioner of Pensions aflecting the status 
of attorneys received and the fact noted on the roster, of— 

Suspension. None. 

Disbarment. 4 

Prohibition under section 190, R. S.-. 26 

Prohibition under section 5498, R. S. 25 

Prohibition under section 5498, R. S., ceased . 3 

Prohibition under section 190, R.S.,ceased. 1 

Restoration. 8 

Change of residence. 94 

Deaths. 35 

Dropped. 1 

Papers containing charges against or relating to attorneys, jacketed, name 

entered on the index to, and papers placed in attorneys files. 216 

Pai)ers drawn for examination from and returned to attorney files. 1,398 

Application for the designation of pension notaries referred to the honorable 

Commissioner of Pensions for his consideration and direction. 18 

Pension notaries designated and commissioned. 17 

Letters written.-.-...-. 

Records searched and the standing of notaries public and justices ot the peace 
certified to the chief of division, in— 

Examiner’s slips. 8,678 

Circular letters written. 2, 022 

Certificates of notaries public and justices of the peace received and examined 7,219 

Searched and recorded.-. /,219 

Imperfect certificates searched and returned for correction . 345 

Blank certificates for clerk of courts mailed to those desiring to file the same 

for general reference. 161 

Notaries public commissions returned. 56 

In addition to the amount and class of work done at the attorneys desk during the 
period covered by this report, the names and residences of more than 15,000 attorneys 
have been copied from the old into the new roster of attorneys by Misses Browne and 

Maher. 






























174 


THE DEPARTBIENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


A.8 tlie attorneys desk deals wholly with current work, there was uothiuj; pending 
on it when the law division was organized, excepting the completion of copying the 
old roster of attorneys. 

While there is a general division each day of the work relating to attorneys, be¬ 
tween Miss Browne and myself, it has not been with that dehniteuess to enable me 
to give an accurate account of the amount of work done by each, individually, but 
it is so divided that every call made is answered on the day of its receipt. 

As Miss Maher’s work relates exclusively to magistrates, this report will show the 
amount of work done by her individually. 

Respectfully submitted. 

ALONZO WEEKS. 


James M. Ward, Esq., 

Chief, Laiv Division. 


To January 1, 1884 . 533 

Cases pending. 533 

To January 1, 1885, appeals received. 2,188 

To January 1, 1885, appeals decided. 1,472 

January 1, 1885, appeals pending..... 1,249 

To January 1, 1885, appeals received. 2,860 

To January 1, 1886, appeals decided.. 1,527 

January 1, 1886, appeals pending. 2,592 

To January 1, 1887, appeals received. 3,068 

To January 1, 1887, appeals decided. 1,543 

January 1, 1887, appeals pending... 4,117 

To March 1, 1887, appeals received.. 469 

To March 1, 1887, appeals decided..... 799 

March 1, 1887, appeals pending. 3,787 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., March 31, 1887. 


WORK REPORT—SECTION C. 


From February 1, 1886, to February 28, 1887, loith the names and grade of clerks 

ing the same. 


E. A. Harding. 

Alonzo Weeks. 

J. M. McCoy^. 

Mrs. M. P. Winslow 

Miss E. Browne- 

Miss Carrie Maher t 


compos- 


S alary. 
$1, 800 
1,400 
1,200 
1,200 
1,200 
900 


At the date of the organization of the law division, February I, 1886, the attorney 
and criminal branch was composed of the above-named clerks, whose duties w^ere to 
attend to all matters relating to criminal and improper acts of agents and attorneys 
in the prosecution of pension claims, to prepare cases for references to the Depart¬ 
ment of Justice for criminal prosecution, to attend to all matters pertaining to the 
suspension and disbarment of attorneys, and their restoration to practice, and to keep 
a record of attorneys practicing before the office, and also a record of the different 
notaries public and justices of the peace, the evidence of wdiose official character and 
date and duration of term of office are placed on file for reference. 

On April 15, 1886, there was added to the section C. C. Williams; salary, $1,400. 

On May 20, 1886, the division wuis reorganized and the section designated Section 
C, and to the duties of the section were added those of attending to all matters re¬ 
lating to fees of agents and attorneys in the i)rosecution of pension claims and ques¬ 
tions of disputed attorneyship, with the following additional clerks: 


Salary. 

C. L. Whelpley. $2,000 

E. E. Fullert. gOO 

V. E. King.. 1^600 

C. W. Simpson. 1,200 

Miss M. E. Weeks ^.... l’ qqo 


* Transferretl to S. E. Division, June 17, 1886. 
J Reduced to $1,200 September 18, 1886. 


t Promoted May 14, 1886, to $1,000. 
§ Promoted to $1,200 August 2, 1886. 


































THE DEPARTxMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 175 


Jl'orlc of .riminal part of the secliou,^ 


Ciise.s recoived for consideration. 

Cases in which iinal action has been taken... 

Cases referred to the S. E. Division for investigation. 

Cases in which partial action has been taken. 

Cases remaining to be acted upon (not examined). 

Cases submitted for prosecution. 

Cases returned, no indictments found. 

Convictions.. 

Acquittals. 

Cases pending in the courts. 

Letters written t > attorneys, in which unlawful or improper conduct was 

alleged against them.. 

Letters written to members of Congress. 

Letters written, classed as miscellaneous. 

Letters written to the honorable Secretary of the Interior. 

Letters of advice written to district attorneys. 

Reports made to the honorable Secretary of the Interior relating to suspen¬ 
sion and disbarment of attorneys and restoration to practice. 

Cases in which unlawful fees have been refunded upon the action of this 

section. 

Amount so refunded . 

Certifications of evidence.. 


85:i 

611 

67 

112 

5 

58 

5 

24 

0 

29 

660 

62 

1,559 

172 

10 


o'o 


121 


$8,852 78 
166 


Respectfully submitted. 

James M. Ward, Esq,, 

Chief, Law Divibion. 


E. A. HARDING. 


lieport of Mr. V. E. Kimj, since February 1, 1886, to February 28, 1887. 


Claims disposed of (questions of attorneyship and fees). 4,637 

Letters written (relating to questions of fee and recognition). 1,859 

References (relating to attorneyship). 1,638 


Report of Mr. Charles L. Tfhelpley, since February 1,1886. 

4,168 
2,933 
1,393 
78 

Report of Miss Mary E. Weeks. 


Claims disposed of (questions of attorneyship).. ... 

Letters written (relating to matters of fee and recognition). 

References (relating to attorneyship and fees)... 

Appeals to DeparUnent (on matters of recognition and fees) 


Number of cases entered on docket, 8,700. 

All action taken by examiners entered on docket. 

All evidence relating to cases already on docket numbered and applied. 
Commissioner’s rulings and Secretary’s decisions recorded. 

Report of Mr. E. E. Fuller, May 20, 1886, to March 1, 188/. 

Cases disposed of on questions of attorneyship and fee. ... 

Letters written relating to questions of fee and recognition. 

References (relating to attorneyship). 


3,066 


722 

1,338 


EOARD OF REVIEW. 

Report of the board of review. Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the board of review 
division of the Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. 

The board of review is charged with the duty of examining and passing upon the 
evidenee that has been procured from all sources by the adjudicating divisions and 
the special examination division in pensions claims growing out ot service in the 
Army and Navy in all wars in which the United States has been engaged, and also 
bounty-land claims. 

The board of review conducts no correspondence for evidence. 

































176 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Statement sliowing in detail the methods of transacting business in the hoard of re¬ 
view division of the Bureau of Pensions, in the Department of the Interior, includ¬ 
ing one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the Pension OfSce, and then 
showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted 
upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally dis¬ 
posed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Claims that have been filed, numbered, and recorded are forwarded to the adjudi¬ 
cating division for necessary correspondence with the War Department and claimants 
for evidence to complete them. 

When in the judgment of such division they are ready for final action, whether 
favorable or unfavorable, they are forwarded day by day to the board of review. The 
same course is taken where the division believes the case should be sent forward for 
special examination in the field. 

Upon their receipt by the board of review they are filed for reference in the order 
of their dates of receipt. 

As the difierent reviewers require work a number of cases in the order of the dates 
of submission are charged to them, and a record of the charge is made and placed in 
the files. 

If upon the evidence submitted it is the reviewer’s judgment that the case should 
be allowed or rejected, he enters his finding upon the brief. 

If he thinks further information on any point is necessary to the determination of 
the merits of the claim he writes out such judgment and attaches it to the papers in 
the case. 

Upon the completion of the review in this board, the cases, except thos^- for ordi¬ 
nary increase of rate involving only a medical question, are at once charged to and 
sent to the board of re-review for examination of the action taken here. 

Ordinary increase claims are sent after review at once to the medical division. 
Upon the completion of its work the board of review sends such cases as require 
medical action to the medical division. 

The medical division returns them to this board to have the rates allowed entered, 
the record completed, and the cases forwarded to the certificate division for issue of 
certificate. 

Cases that do not require medical action are returned by the review board to this 
board with either its concurring or dissenting action on the decisions rendered here. 

A concurrence of judgment completes the action, subject to appeal to the Commis¬ 
sioner. 

On a dissenting opinion the case goes to the chiefs of the two boards for considera¬ 
tion. If they concur, it completes the action of the two boards; if not, the question 
is taken to the Commissioner. 

Upon completion of the action a record is made and the case goes forward to the 
division where it originated unless the action be that of admission. 

The board of review is composed of five sections, each presided over by a chief who 
supervises the work therein, and the force of file clerks and record clerks. 

The following statment shows the amount and character of business received dur¬ 
ing the period at the dates specified below, in the division of board of review, in the 
Bureau of Pensions: 


Character of business. 


July. 

August.... 
September 
October ... 
November 
December. 
January... 
JFebruary . 

March_ 

April. 

May.. 

June. 


Received 
during fiscal 
year 1884. 

Received 
during fiscal 
year 1885. 

Received 
during fiscal 
year 1886. 

4,789 

5,178 

11,258 

4, 552 

5, 248 

9, 382 

4, 871 

6, 872 

10,189 

6,152 

6, 373 

14, 322 

5, 257 

6, 542 

14, 452 

5, 398 

7, 059 

14, 855 

7, 495 

7, 821 

14,513 

6,417 

6,288 

13,114 

7, 392 

9. 264 

15,130 

7, 982 

9,489 

16, 363 

8, 606 

10, 373 

14, 624 

7, 9V5 

15, 547 

17, 361 . 


Received 
from duly, 
1886, to Mar., 
1,1887. 


12,154 
11,659 
12, 195 

11, 936 
10, 058 
11,811 

12, 041 

13, 557 


As the board of review has no permanent files, its business being current business 
submitted to it, it cannot be stated what number of cases were on hand at a given 
date. The business transacted is fully given by classes and divisions in the accom¬ 
panying tables. The above numbers are from reports of divisions, monthly of cases 
































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


177 


submitted to Jnue, 1885, when the board made its own count. Up to June, 1885, cases 
that had been before the board once were not counted when resubmitted. From June, 
1885, they were counted, as their re-examination took the time of the board. 

The accompanying tables show the number of employes on the board of review, 
with the exception of clerks employed on such duty as to make it impracticable to 
make a record of the work, such as file clerks, ^record clerks, chiefs of sections, and 
miscellaneous duty—for instance, tbe supervision of attorneyships and fees in cases 
allowed to prevent error. These classes of employes were present for duty during 
all the time specified in the resolution, except when actually sick or on regular an¬ 
nual leaves. These clerks averaged each mouth in 1884 thirteen persons, exclusive 
of the chief; 1885, twelve persons, exclusive of the chief; 1886, nineteen, up to 
October, 1886, when five chiefs of sections were designated. The total for 1887 to 
March 1 was twenty-five. No clerical duty in this board has been done by proxy. It 
is impracticable to give the maximum and minimum amount of business by employes 
in figures on account of the varied work. A clerk can examine a large number of 
ordinary increase cases, but of other claims, especially those containing voluminous 
evidence or special examiners’ reports, but a few can be examined in comparison. 

\_Memorandum by Committee : In the report of the Secretarj'^ of the Interior transmit¬ 
ting the report of the Bureau of Pensions on the met hods of business, and work, &c., 
the board of review attached to their report five large sheets, each headed ‘‘Board 
of Review,” one being a report for the fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1884, another for 
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, another for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, 
another for the semi-annual part of the year ending December 30, 1886, and the 
other for January and February, 1887, and each containing the names of all the re¬ 
viewers, and opposite each name some thirty columns, with proper headings and with 
figures in each column opposite the names of the respective reviewers, indicating the 
amount of work performed by each, and making an immense mass of figures. The 
information contained in these massive sheets is not considered sufficiently important 
to justify the printing of the same. The committee has therefore substituted for all 
the said five sheets the following sheet, ruade out on a similar blank to those which 
the said five sheets were made out on, which shows the aggregate number of cases 
disposed of by all the reviewers during each of the periods indicated on each of the 
said five sheets respectively.] 

Report for fiscal years ending June 30, 1884, 1885, 1886, and up to March 1, 1887. 


Original. 


Cases disposed of 
in fiscal year— 

Invalid. 

Widows. 

Dependents. 

'a .2 

‘£t ^ 

■J! sc ^ 
o U = 

^ rt 

o 

o o 

s 

<3 

o 

« 

c o 

Ph o 

Cl • 

ri 

o 

M 

n > 

<5 

pH O 

ri 

5 

< 

rd 

o 

o 

o 

^ < 

S3 P 

4- ^ 

M o 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

18»7, six months 

to Dec. 31, 1886 . 
January and Feb¬ 
ruary, 1887. 

26, 706 
28,375 
31,975 

12, 308 

5, 404 

3, 445 

4, 912 
13,170 

5, 059 

292 

12, 725 
9, 664 
14, 296 

5, 043 

1,604 

4,184 
4,854 
5,470 

2, 787 

1,317 

426 
1,481 
2, 544 

1,209 

261 

1,487 

1, 532 

2, 484 

1,104 

465 

2, 298 

3, 336 
3, 493 

2, 004 

758 

293 

1,009 

1,297 

507 

97 

1, 040 
1,041 
1,464 

500 

202 

53, 532 
50, 711 
76, 885 

30, 950 

10, 544 


Increase. 


Cases disposed of 
in fiscal j'ear— 


1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887, six months 

to Dec. .SI, 1886 . 
January and Feb¬ 
ruary, 1887. 


Invalid. 

New Dis. 

Widows, (fee. 

Admitted. 

*7^ 

Returned 
on review. 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 

Returned 
on review. 

Admitted. 

Rejected. 

Returned 
on review. 

17,273 

5,144 

2,100 

1, .333 

247 

132 

222 

18 

25 

26, 801 

11,227 

2, 569 

3,141 

588 

90 

227 

26 

24 

33,110 

39, 599 

2, 846 

3, 201 

2,358 

706 

252 

51 

68 

17,102 

16, 407 

1,522 

1,742 

1,093 

385 

153 

31 

34 

7, 209 

4,805, 

705 

1,381 

298 

140 

86 

8 

13 


4402 INT- 12 







































































178 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Beport for fiscal years ending June 30, 1884, 1885, tfc.—Continued. 


Cases disposed of 
in fiscal year— 

Number of 
days absent. 

Number 
of days on 
other work. 

Original 
to southeast 
division. 

Increase 
to southeast 
division. 

Special ex¬ 
aminers’ re¬ 
ports exam¬ 
ined. 

Number of 
reviewers. 

1884. 

1, >33 

212 

628 

659 

7, 573 

63 

1885. 

764 

622 

469 

581 

11,829 

69 

1886. 

1887, six months 

1,467 

325 

692 

1,867 

13, 614 

83 

to Dec. 31, 1886 
January and Feb- 

1, 278 

814 

431 

845 

5,714 

74 

68 

ruary, 1887. 

50 

486 

154 

225 

1,684 


The foregoing figures are the exact figures in the footings of the v^arious columns 
in the live sheets respectively, and have not been verified by the committee, except 
only the figures under the headings, “Number of days absent,” “Number of days on 
other duty,” and Number of reviewers.” Under the headiug “Number of reviewers” is 
given the number of the names of reviewers as stated by name on each sheet, and 
under the headings “Number of days absent” and “Number of days on other duty” is 
given the result of the figures opposite the name of each reviewer as counted by the 
committee. In the sheet for 1885 the footing of the column “ Number of days absent” 
is stated at 764, while the figures given, correctly added, make 1,382 days absent. On 
each sheet is a statement of the actual number of days’ work performed, number of 
days possible, days absent, on detached or other duty, average number of cases by all 
the reviewers per day, and by each reviewer per day, and total number of cases dis¬ 
posed of, the figures of which are given in following tabulated statement, just as 
stated on said sheets, to wit: 


In fiscal year ending— 

Total days’ work by 
board. 

Possible work days. 

Days absent. 

Days detached. 

Average number of 
cases by board per 
day. 

Average number of 
c.ases bj"^ each re¬ 
viewer per day. 

Special examiners’ 
reports examined. 

Total cases dis- 
posed. 

June 30,1884. 

9, 886 

11,272 

1,169 

217 

26.51 

8^ 

7, 573 

80,686 

June 30,1885. 

12, 066 

14,099 

1,408 

625 

340 

8.4 

11,829 

101, 985 

June 30,1886... 

13,022 

14,787 

1, 440 

325 

53I3V3 

12. 1 

13, 614 

160, 934 

Six months fiscal year 1887 to Dec. 31, 
1887. 

6, 475 

9,855 

2, 849 

531 

456 

10.5 

5,714 

70, 264 

January and February, 1887 . 

2, 375 

2,910 

51 

484 

529,% 

10.7 

1,684 

25, 412 


BOAKD OF KE-REVIEW. 


Report of the hoard of re-review, Bureau of Fensions, on the methods of business and 
worh, as requested hij Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

Departmext of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., April 4, 1887. 

Mr. Commissioner : 

I beg to submit herewith my report of the work of this board, as far as the records 
will allow, in answer to the requirements of the Senate Select Committee. 

Very respectfully, 

F. W. POOR, 

Chief, Board of Be-Beview. 

Hon. J. C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 











































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


179 


Statoiueut sTiowiiij^ the principal items of business transacted in the hoard of re- 
review of the Pension Oliice, Department of the Interior. 

The principal items ot business transacted in the hoard of re-review are the re¬ 
review of all classes of pension and bounty land claims, whether for favorable or un- 
lavorable,action, and in addition such special work as may bo assigned it by the 
Commissioner of Pensions. 

The re-review ot a claim involves the examination of all the claimant’s allegations, 
the reports ot the War or Navy Departments, as the case may be, bearing upon the 
claimant’s service, and the parol testimony bearing upon the origin of his disability, 
and the tact of its continuance and the degree thereof, from the date of his discharge 
trom the service; and in many cases this includes voluminous reports of testimony 
taken by the special examiners of this office. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in th*e board of 
re-review ot the Pension Offiee, in the Department ot the Interior, including one 
or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the-office, and then showing 

in consecutive order the various stops taken by each of such principal business 
matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employds through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and 
notioe thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The principal item of business transacted by the board of re-review is the re¬ 
review of all classes of pension and bounty land claims. 

These claims are received from the board of review with the action of the adjudi¬ 
cating divisions and the board of review indorsed on the briefs thereof. They are 
then taken bj’’ the file clerks and charged to the clerks of this board, whose duty it is 
to re-review them. 

If the jireceding action is for approval, and the re-reviewer concurs, the cases are 
then forwarded to the medical referee for his action. 

If the action for approval is non-coucurred in, the case is returned to the board of 
review, with a statement of the grounds thereof. 

The case then receives the personal consideration of the chiefs of the two boards, 
and if they should disagree as to its disposition the question is decided by the Com¬ 
missioner of Pensions. 

A like course is followed should a question arise as to the rejection of a claim. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the board of re-review, in the Pension Oliice : 


Character of busi- Keceivecl Disposed of 
ness. during 1885. in 1885. 

Keceived 
during 1886. 

Disposed of 
in 1886. 

Received, 
during 1887. 

Disposed of 
in 1887. 

Pending 
M(irch. 1, 
1887 

Pension claims... 19,426 19,4 26 

72,447 

72, 447 

19,488 

16, 545 

2,943 


As the cases are not expected to accumulate in this board, but that each day’s work 
will dispose of the receipts, the records do not show the number of cases undisposed 
of prior to March 1, 1887. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business 
performed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes 
in the board of re-review of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior* 


Character of business. 

J n 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

ifov. 

Dec. 

1885. 













Ko-reviewingpension claims-- 







115 

338 

325 

317 

325 

217 

1886. 













Ee-reviewing pension claims.. 

218 

196 

335 

229 

239 

276 

179 

206 

254 

260 

208 

291 

1887. 














210 

237 
























The falling off in the average since 1885 is due to the fact that cases have been 
more closely scrutinized, consequently more time has been required upon each case. 











































180 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the average number of employ«Ss in the board of 
re-review of the Pension Office, Dej^artment of the Interior, during the periods spe¬ 
cified : 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885. 







11 

11 

14 

14 

14 

18 

1886. 

26 

31 

22 

27 

30 

30 

27 

30 

32 

35 

33 

28 

1887 [toMfi.r. 1) _ 

43 

43 













The present force is divided as follows: 1 chief of tlie board ; 1 chief of section; 
37 re-reviewers; 4 file clerks and type-writers. 


The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the 
least during the x)eriods specified, in the board of re-review of the Pension Office 
Departmt-nt of the Interior: 


[Re-reviewing pension claims. Employ6 doing the most. Maximum.] 


Year. 

Jan.. 

Feb. 


Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885. 







239 

369 

734 

280 

734 

273 

540 

514 

666 

399 

554 

559 

1886.:. 

411 

629 

431 

566 

733 

500 

338 

326 

1887 (to March 1). 












[Re-reviewing pension claims. Employ6 doing the least. Minimum.] 

, V 

3885. 







60 

43 

311 

219 

160 

207 

43 

217 

383 

203 

1 

142 

1886 . 

229 

199 

233 

189 

151 

245 

191 

176 

1887 (to March 1). 












Up to .July 22, 1 bS 5, the re-reviewers were a [lart of the board of review, and the 
report of their work was incorporated in that of that board, which accounts for no 
report being submitted prior to that date. 

A statement of the average number of days and the time and attention devoted to 
the consideration and transaction of business during the periods specified by the em¬ 
ployes in the board of review of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior, can¬ 
not be given, as no record has been kept in the board, but was made a matter of 
daily report to the chief clerk of the office. The employes in this.board have de¬ 
voted the entire official hours of labor to the transaction of the business intrusted to 
them, except for the time when they liave been officially authorized to be absent from 
their duties. 

A statement of the maximum number of days devoted to business by the employ^ 
present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum number of days de¬ 
voted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days in the board of 
re-review of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci¬ 
fied cannot be given, as no record of time has been kept in the board, but all ab¬ 
sences have been made a matter of daily report to the chief clerk of this office. 


CERTIFICATE DIVISION. 


Report of the certificate division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and ivorjc 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23,1887. 


Department of tile Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., Aprils, 1887. 


Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith, in obedience to your instructions, state¬ 
ments showing the business of this division fiom July 1, 1883, to March 1, 1887, in so 
far as the records on file show it. 

Very respectfully. 


To the Hon. Commissioner. 


J. E. SMITH, 
Chief of Division. 








































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 181 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the certificate divis¬ 
ion of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) The issue of pension certificates, the necessary accompanying papers, and making 
proper record of the same. 

(2) The adjudication of claims for duplicates of lost or destroyed pension certificates. 

(3) The transfer of pensioners’ names from one agency roll to another upon change 
of residence. 

(4) Certifying title (disability) to the Surgeon-General on applications for artificial 
limbs, commutation therefor, and for trusses. 

(5) The preparation of reports, viz: (a) disabilities (classified) for which pensions 
are granted; (b) admissions by States and counties; (c) admissions bynames and 
residences, for newspapers; (d) special-act cases; (e) miscellaneous, as called for, 
such as •‘amputation cases on the rolls,” “amounts due at first payments,” &c. 

(6) Miscellaneous correspondence. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the certificate 
division of the Pension OfSce, in the Department of the Interior, including one or 
more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning 
with the receipt of the business matter in the certificate division of the office, and 
then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

The principal business of this division is the issuing of pension certificates and 
other papers necessary to provide for the payment of the claims,adjudicated and ad¬ 
mitted by other divisions of the Bureau. 

PROCESS OF ISSUE. 

The admitted briefs, bearing the approval of the legal reviewers and medical ref¬ 
eree, together with all the papers pertaining to each case, are received from the board 
of review at 3 p. m. each day for the following day’s work. They are arranged by 
the division messenger, alphabetically, and placed on tables convenient to the entry 
clerks. The course then taken is as follows: 

(1) Each case is entered upon the permanent record by name, the certificate number 
it will bear, service and agency where payable. 

(2) The papers are then distributed to the writers, who make up therefrom the pen¬ 
sion certificates and orders on the proper pension agents to inscribe the names on 
their rolls and make payment. 

(3) The certificates and orders to inscribe are carefully reviewed in connection with 
the briefs, each paper being initialed by the reviewer. 

(4) The certificates are then arranged in classes—original, increase, reissue, invalids, 
widows, &c.—counted, and, with the briefs and a report slip, showing the day’s issue 
in detail, sent to the Commissioner’s room for examination and signature. 

(5) The “orders to inscribe” and claim papers go to the jacket section, where the 
proper “admitted jackets” are made up, the papers inclosed therein, and an “admis¬ 
sion slip” (showing the issue) prepared for the adjudicating division from which the 

claim emanated. , . . 

(6) The papers are then taken by the notice section, where notices of admission are 
prepared in each case for the clainiant, the proper accounting officer of the Treasury, 
the attorney, and an order made for payment of the attorney’s fee, if any. 

(7) The case, order to inscribe, and notices are then forwarded to the mailing sec¬ 
tion, where they are classified and applied to their proper certificates as these are re¬ 
turned from the Secretary’s office signed and sealed, placed in addressed envelopes, 
sealed, and sent to the mail division of the Bureau for transmission to the post-office. 

(8) After the dates of issue and mailing are indorsed on the jackets the cases are 

handed to the report clerks, who make up slips showing allowances by States and 
counties, for the division record, and allowances by names and residences for the 
newspapers publishing reports of daily issues. , , ^ 

(9) The record clerks then complete the permaneutVecord (begun by the entry clerks) 
by adding the rates, dates of commencement, termination, disability, amounts due, 
&c., and make a list of new disabilities for the disability record. The cases then go, 
finally, to the record division of the Bureau, and from there to the admitted tile 
rooms. 


182 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the division of certificates in the office of Commis¬ 
sioner of Pensions: 


Chiiracter of business. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1883-’84. 

Disposed o f 

in 1883-’84. 

'a 

?foo 
S 1-1 

1— ( 
C 

ii 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884-’85. 

Disposed 0 f 

in 1884-’85. 

Pending July 

1, 1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1885-86. 

Disposed 0 f 

in 1885-’80. 

Pending July 

1, 1886. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886-’87. 

1 

1 Disposed 0 f 

in 18S6-’87. 

c 

.P 

^ .-T 
a 

0 

Pension certificates, (r e- 













corded, written, reviewed. 













mailed). 


57, 930 


. 

74, 631 .... 


81,247 



55, 316 

.... 



57 930 



74, 631 

.... 


81, 247 



55, 316 

_ - . 



55 7ll 



7 ’ 252 



78, 866 


" 



^ LT^v/o V V Hid LlHOIH H1 >9 • 


58 130 



14, 631 



81, 247 



55, 316 




*38' 695 



5b 404 



64; 907 
35, 115 



39, 288 




* 1 . 5 ' 000 



28; 134 





24,530 




39,192 



48, 053 



5.5, 574 



46, 226 




4 ', 868 



3, 909 



5, 720 



3, 5.52 




L 226 



1, 116 



1, 191 



843 


Accrued pension claims. 

2,156 

i;848 

308 

2, 136 

2, 006 

348 

2, 30. 

2, 237 

411 

965 

t806 

. . - . 

Claims fur duplicate certif- 






36 







icates . 

1, 030 

989 

41 

889 

894 

853 

842 

47 

493 

489 

51 

Letters written. 

4, 452 



5, 010 

.... 


6, 706 

.... 

... 

6, 726 

.... 




1 1 




.342.169 





1 1 








'Estimated. 

t Action on acci ued pension claims ceased in this division Ifovember 16,1886, and the pending claims 
(570) were turned over to the adjudicating divisions. 

Average number of clerks employed in 1883-’84, .50; 1884-’83, 47 ; 1885-’86, 48; 1886-’87, 50. 

The principal work of this division—the issuing of pension certificates and accom¬ 
panying papers—being completed each day, there was nothing of that class pending 
at the beginning of the fiscal year, nor undisposed of at its close. 

There is nothing on file to show the number of claims for accrued pension and for 
duplicate certificates on file July 1, 1883. 

The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employd doing the 
least during tlie periods specified in the certificate division of the Pension Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 

[Pension certilicates and orders to inscribe written.—Employ^ doing the most.—Maximum.] 


Year. 

% 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1886. 







905 

772 

1,105 

1,407 

1,041 

1, 025 

1887 (tn March 1)_ 

1,145 

1,006 

















[Pension certificates and orders to inscribe written.—Employ6 doing the least.—Minimum.] 


1886. 







392 

765 

832 

884 

484 

504 

1887 (to March 1). 

525 

885 

















Eor prior years no record is found on file. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the certificate division of the Pension Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Year. 

0 , 

00 
^ V© 

4) fc-j 

I a 

a © 

Izi 

Average num¬ 
ber of days 
present. 

Average num¬ 
ber of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Remarks. 

1884. 

54 

259 

H 

Six clerks assigned temporarily, one to three months. 

1885.. 

49 

264 

6i 


1886. 

53 

267 

6i 

Five clerks assigned temporarily, one to three months. 

1887 to March 1. 

52 

45 

6i 






























































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


183 


The followiug statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by tbe employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the certificate division of the Pension Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Character of business. 

Maximum number of days. 

Minimum number of days. 

278 

188 

277 

225 

277 

203 

48 

Writing certificates, notices, &c. 
Do. 


AGENTS’ DIVISION. 

Report of the agents’ division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business and work, 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureauof Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., March 31, 1887. 

Sir: In response to your verbal direction that I furnish certain information per¬ 
taining to the w'ork of this division called for by the Hon. F. M. Cockrell, chairman 
of the Senate Select Committee, in his communications addressed to the Secretary of 
the Interior, March 18,1887, copies of which were transmitted to this Bureau by de¬ 
partmental circular of March 23,1887,1 have the honor to report: 

IIUSINESS assigned TO AGENTS’ DIVISION. 


It has control of all appropriations for the payment of Army and Navy pensions, 
arrears of Army and Navy pensions, fees and expenses of examining surgeons, salaries 
of pension agents, clerk hire, rents, fuel, lights, and contingent expenses at the eight¬ 
een agencies for the payment of pensions. 

It issues requests on the Secretary of the Interior for requisitions for all warrants 
on the Treasury under each of the foregoing items of appropriation, and upon all set¬ 
tlements made by the accounting officers of the Treasury for lost checks, refundments, 

and reimbursements under section 4718, R. S. , „ , 

It receives and records the accounts (weekly,monthly, and annual) of the pension 
agents, and examines and prepares for approval tbe expenses of the agencies upon 

accounts submitted monthly. i ^ 

It keeps records of all disbursements for all purposes by the pension agents and of 
the balances of pension funds to their official credit, as well as of all other disburse¬ 
ments chargeable to any of said items of appropriation, and of the balances of each in 

the Treasury of the United States. . , i x- x i 

It keeps the pension agents supidied with all necessary funds for payments under 
each item of appropriations before recited, as well as with all records, pension vouch¬ 
ers blank checks, and other blanks needed for their official use. , , 

It is charged with the examination and preparation tor approval of all official bonds 
of pension argents and of all leases for quarters for pension agencies, and with all cor- 
resnondence relative to the qualiheatiou and duties ot said agents. 

It receives and records monthly reports from each of the eighteen pension agents, 
showino- the additions and losses to their rolls in each class of pensioners, viz : Inva¬ 
lids widows, minors, mothers, fathers, survivors of the war of 1812, widows of the 
war of 1812 survivors of tlio war with Mexico, and widows of the war with Mexico, 

It is charged with the settlement of all claims under the following described acts: 

January 25 and March 3, 1879: Granting arrears of pensions. 

ATnrcb 1 1879: Granting civil service arrears. 

Qj-anting increase Irom $18 to $24 and from $24 to $30 for certain 


March 3, 1883: 
disabilities. 
March 3, 1885: 
March 19, 1886 
pendents. 

August 4, 1886 


Granting $37.50 per month for amputations at the shoulder joint. 
: Grantim»- increase to $12 per month to widows, minors, and de- 


Granting an increase from $24 to $30 per month, and from $30 to 
$36 aur$45 per month for certain disabilities. It also issues all supplemental certiti- 

Ltes under Slid acts of March 19 and August 4,1886. 

It is charged with the duty of explaining to the proper pension agents the money 
yalU of airallowances covering periods for which pension was previously allowed; 
the cases in point being described as “ reissues. 
















184 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


It is charged with all correspondence with pension agents and accounting officers 
of the Treasury in explanation of the official action of this Bureau ; in directing the 
payment of all attorneys’ fees when certified hy the law division ; in acceptance or 
rejection for payment of vouchers submitted by the agents to this Bureau for consid¬ 
eration ; with regard to complaints from pensioners and others relative to delays on 
the part of pension agents in the payment of pensions ; also with pensioners and 
others relative to title to pension under anj' of the acts hereinbefore referred to. 

It is charged with the duty of depositing in the Treasury of the United States all 
monies illegally paid out of pension funds and recovered through the special exami¬ 
nation division and referred to this division for that purpose, as well as with the es¬ 
sential correspondence with the Secretary of the Treasury in explanation of the said 
recoveries in order that they may be covered into the Treasury to the credit of the 
proper appropriation ; and of making all computations of illegal or other improper 
payments to pensioners, and also in collating the necessary data for certain tables in 
the Commissioner’s annual report, and in the preparation in proper form of said 
tables. 

It is charged with the duty of submitting weekly a tabulated statement showing 
the amount of funds to the credit of each of the eighteen agents for the payment of 
pensions under each item of appropriation ; and, since March 7, 1887, it has furnished 
a weekly report to the Commissioner for transmission to the Secretary of the Interior,, 
under a system inaugurated just prior to that date, showing the amount and character 
of work, in the aggregate, performed by the division. 

It will be seen from the foregoing statement that the work pertaining to this di¬ 
vision is of an exceedingly varied character. It is largely of a nature to require im¬ 
mediate attention, and that each day’s work shall be pet formed on that day. Such 
has been the fact since I assumed charge of the division, Scj)tember 1,1885, and, so far 
as the records show, such has been the fact since its organization. 

For this reason I believe there was no business pending and undisposed of in this 
division on the Ist day of January, 1884, or on the 1st day of January, 1885, and I per¬ 
sonally know that there was no business i)endiug and undisposed of January 1, 188(1,. 
or January 1, 1887. 

It is impossible to state the amount of work received and disposed of during any 
of the periods mentioned in the communication of the chairman of the Senate Select 
Committee, either by calendar or fiscal years, nor is it possible to state either the max¬ 
imum or minimum work performed during any of said periods by any particular 
clerk of (his division, for the reason that no record has been kept of work performed 
in this division, either by years or by individuals, other than the current letter books, 
and other records, and for the further reason that in a large amount of the work per¬ 
formed the .files of the respective pension cases contain the only record of the action 
taken. 

In certain classes of special work assigned to this division from time to time,records 
have been kept of the amount performed by the division as a whole, and which can 
be reported more conveniently by fiscal years. 

ARREARS OF PENSIONS. 

During the fiscal years 1884,, 1885, 1886, and to March 1, 1887, arrears of, pensions 
were allowed under acts of January 25, and March 3, 1879, by this division, as 
follows: 


1884 . 116 

1885 . 70 

1886 . 93 

1887 (to March 1, 1887). 33 


Total. 312 


REISSUES. 

During the fiscal years 1886, and 1887 to March 1st, instructions have been given 
to pension agents in reissue cases, as follows: 


1886 . 3 314 

1887 (to March 1,1887). 3 ,275 

Total. 6,589 












THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


185 


INCREASE UNDER ACT MARCH 3, IBSf). 

lJuder the act of March 3, 1885, grautiog increase for amputations at the shoulder- 
joint, the following number of cases have been allowed: 


1885 . 75 

1886 . 227 

1887 (to March 1, 1887). 18 


Total. 320 


INCREASE UNDER ACT MARCH 19, 1886. 

Between March 19, 1886, and June 30, 1886, there were issued under the act of March 
19,1886, increasing the pensions of widows, minors, and dependents, supplemental cer¬ 
tificates, 79,939. 

INCREASE UNDER ACT AUGUST 4, 1886. 

Under the act of August 4, 1~!86, increasing pensions for certain disabilities, there 
have been issued up to March 1,1887, supplemental certificates, 8,988. 

METHODS OF TRANSACTING BUSINESS. 

In answer to so mucli of the Select Committee’s letter as refers to the methods of 
transacting business of this division, I have the honor to submit the following ex¬ 
amples : 

Bonds .—Whenever a commission is issued by the President of the United States to 
a pension agent, a bond is required before he is permitted to qualify and disburse the 
public funds. When such a commission is received in this Bureau from the President, 
through the Secretary of the Interior, the proper blanks and instructions are prepared 
in this division, setting forth the amount of bond which will be required, the maimer 
of executing said bond, amithe character and amount of the different kiudsof property 
upon which the sureties will be permitted to justify. After receiving the approval 
and signature of the Commissioner, the papers and instructions are transmitted to the 
appointee for execution by him and return to this Bureau. Upon their receipt they 
are carefulW examined, and if found to comply with existing laws and the regula¬ 
tions of the Department, the bond receives the signature of the Commissioner in rec¬ 
ommendation of its approval, and is then transmitted to the Secretary of the Interior 
for examination and approval, as required by section 4779, Revised Statutes. In the 
- event of its apxiroval it is returned to this Bureau, and to this division, where a copy 
of said bond is made for retention, and after a record has been made of all the mate¬ 
rial names, dates, and amounts the original bond is transmitted to the Second Comp¬ 
troller of the Treasury Department, its final custodian, with the proper notice of the 
pension agent’s appointment and information as to the date on which ho will assume 
charge of his agency. A similar notice is addressed to the jn-oper Auditors of the 
Treasury Dejrartment. The commission from the ^President, and full and explicit in¬ 
structions touching his official duties, are then transmitted to the appointee, and to 
the outgoing xiension agent (if any) instructions are also sent relative to surrender¬ 
ing the agency to his successor, to the projjer receijits for all Government proiierty^ 
for which he is responsible, and touching the deposit of the unexpended balances of 
all public funds to his credit. 

Funds for lyension agents .—When the necessity exists for placing funds to the credit 
of the pension agents, which is a matter of constant occurrence, a request for a requi¬ 
sition, addressed to the Becretary of the Interior, is prepared in this division for the 
approval and signature of the Commissioner, and contains the name of the jiensiou 
agent, the date and amount of the bond under which he is chargeable, the amount of 
the credit which he is to receive, the depository in which the amount is to be placed, 
and the appropriation to which the credit is to be charged. After this request has 
received the approval and signature of the Cominissiouer, it is recorded in this divis¬ 
ion, and is transmitted to the division of stationery ami accounts of this Bureau, 
where it is also recorded. It is then forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior, and 
remains on file in the disbursing office of the Department, where the requisition on 
the Treasury, pursuant to said request, is prepared, and after receiving the siguatureof 
the Secretary oftheinterior, and being properly recorded by the disbursing clerk, is for¬ 
warded to the Second Comptroller, in thepension division of whose office it is examined 
and recorded, and after receiving the approval and signature of the Second Comptrol¬ 
ler is sent to the Third Auditor of the Trtasury, in the book-keeper’s division of whose 
office it is again recorded and then receives the signature of the Third Auditor. It is 
then transmitted to the warrant division in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, 







18G 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


■where the requisition remains on file. A -warrant on the Treasury is then prepared 
hy this division of ilie office of the Secretary of the Treasury It receives the sig¬ 
nature of the Secretary of the Treasury, and is then forwarded to the First Comptroller 
of the Treasury, in whose office it is recorded, and after having been signed by the 
Comptroller is transmitted to the Register of the Treasury, where it is again recorded, 
and after having been signed by the Register of the Treasury is forwarded to the 
Treasurer of the United States, in the accounts division of whose office the warrant 
remains on file, and a draft addressed to the designated depositary mentioned in the 
request from this Bureau, for the desired amount, is prepared and receives the signa¬ 
ture of the Treasurer of the United States, after which it is mailed to said depositary, 
who, upon its receipt, sends a formal notice thereof to the pension agent to whose 
credit the funds are placed, and who is then, and not until then, authorized to draw 
against said credit. 

Monthly expense accounts .—Promptly at the close of each month each pension agent 
is required to furnish to this Bureau, upon blanks prepared and sent to him for the 
X)urpose, an expense account for all the expenses incurred by him during said month, 
and itemized according to the terms of the appropriation providing for the payment 
of such expenses, and accompanied by a receipt or voucher for each amount under 
each item of such expenditure. These accounts are promptlj^ sent to this division, 
where they are carefully examined, and, if found proper, they arc prepared for the 
signature of the Commissioner in recommendation of their approval and recorded. 
They are then sent to the stationery and accounts division of this Bureau, where 
they are again recorded, and after receiving the a])proval and signature of the Com¬ 
missioner they are transmitted to the Secretary of the Interior for his examination 
and approval, as required by the terms of the law making said appropriations. They 
are then returned to this division where, after completion of the record, they are 
transmitted to the proper pension agent, who is then authorized to take credit for 
said expenditures in what is known as his monthly account current, and who then 
forwards said ex])ense accounts to the Third Auditor of the Treasury Department as 
a voucher for the total amount expended. These ex])ense accounts are lurnished to 
this Bureau in duplicate, and the duplicate is retained on file in this division. 

Increase under act of August 4, 1886.—When, upon application by a pensioner or 
for any other reason, it appears that a pensioner is entitled to consideratiou nuder 
the act of August 4, 1836, before alluded to, the ])apers of said case are drawn from 
the admitted files, the papers are examined, and, if necessary, are prepared and sent 
to the medical division of this Bureau, that an examination of the degree of the pen¬ 
sioner’s disability may be ordered to be made at or near his home by our duly author¬ 
ized examiuiug surgeons, if thought essential. 

Upon receipt of the certificate of the said examining surgeons the case is consid¬ 
ered by the medical division, and the opinion is expressed by the medical referee 
whether, and if so, at what rate, the pensioner is entitled to increase under said act. 
The case, with this opinion (in writing), is then returned to this division, where a 
supijlemental certificate authorizing the rate found by the medical division to be 
due to the pensioner is prepared, and after the whole action has been carefully re¬ 
viewed and a record thereof made, said certificate is forwarded for the signature of 
the Commissioner, and then for the signature of the Secretary of the Interior and 
the seal of the Department. It is then returned to this division, from which it is 
duly mailed to the proper pension agent, who makes an entry upon the rolls of his 
agency of the increased rate and date of commencement, and then transmits said 
-certificate to the pensioner, with the voucher for the amount due thereon. A formal 
notice of this action is also sent by this division to the proper Auditor of the Treasury. 

The foregoing is submitted as a sample of the methods of transacting business in 
four of the matters assigned to this division. 

CLERICAL FORCE AND HOURS OF WORK. 

Since I assumed charge of this division, September 1, 1835, the average number of 
clerks permanently employed on the work of this division has been about fourteen. 
Twice since that date the clerical force has been temporarily increased in order to 
accomplish speedily special work under the act of March 19 and August 4 1886, as¬ 
signed at these different times to be performed by this division, never,^however 
making the total number exceed twenty-four, and continuing for a few weeks only at 
this number. Except annual and sick leave, the force of tlus division has been em¬ 
ployed regularly during all the hours of service fixed by law, and in some instances 
longer, except in two cases, in which the time absent in excess of that granted by 
law and the departmental regulations was deducted from t he pay of the absentees. 

No record has been or is now kept in this division of the amount or character of 
work performed by individual clerks, either by days, months, or years, for the reason 
that the miscellaneous character of the work renders such an individual record im- 
practicabie. It would require nearly as much time for the individual clerks to keen 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


187 


such a record as it would to perform the work itself. But as before stated, the clerks 
of this division are required to labor during the full legal hours, aud the work is al¬ 
ways kei)t up to date. 

RespectfulIj’- submitted. 

II. C. BELL, 

Hon. John C. Black, Chief Agents* Division. 

Commissioner of Pensions. > 

Note.— See supplemental report, following. 


Supplemenial to report of March 31, 1887. 


Agents’ Division, Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D, C., April 1, 1887. 

Sir : In response to your verbal direction of this date that I furnish the “number 
of employes in the pension agencies, exclusive of the agent, the agencies to be con¬ 
sidered collectively as well as individually in this connection ; to iucluae all persons 
who, though direct employes of the Government, were not appointed by the President 
or the Secretary of the Interior, as required by the letter addressed to you on the 29th 
instant by Hon. H. L. Muldrow, Acting Secretary of the Interior, I have the honor 
to submit the following report: 

On the Ist day of March, 1887, as shown by the expense accounts of the pension 
agents, on file in this Bureau, there were employed a total of 175 permanent clerks at 
the agencies, distributed as follows : 


Augusta.... 

Boston.. 

Chicago_ 

Concord_ 

Columbus ... 
Des Moines.. 

Detroit. 

Indianapolis 
Knoxville ... 
Louisville ... 


6 

13 

19 
7 

20 
9 
9 

12 

9 

6 


Milwaukee. 8 

New York. 10 

Philadelphia. 8 

Pittsburgh. 10 

San Francisco. 2 

Syracuse. 8 

Topeka. 8 

Washington. 11 


Total. 175 


In addition to the permanent force employed as indicated above, and to enable the 
pension agents to make the regular quarterly payments promptly, an additional force 
is employed at nearly all of the agencies during each quarter, for periods ranging 
from one to three weeks. During the December. 1883, quarter (the March, 1887, quar¬ 
ter not having been reported) this force aggregated 145, aud was distributed as fol¬ 
lows • 


Augusta.. 

Chicago... .... 

Columbus. 

Concord. 

Des Moines. 

Indianapolis. 

Knoxville. 

Louisville. 

Milwaukee. 

Respectfully submitted. 

Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


6 

2 

13 

2 

4 

22 

2 

1 

4 


New York. 19 

Philadelphia. 10 

Pittsburgh. 2 

San Francisco. 1 

Syracuse. 27 

Topeka. 10 

Washington . 14 


Total . 145 


H. C. BELL, 
Chief Agents’ Division. 


recapitulation. 


The following statement shows the principal items of the special business trans¬ 
acted in the Agents’ Division of the Bureau of Pensions Office. 


Arrears of pension: 

1884 .. 

1885 .. 

1800. 

1887 (to Match 1) 

Total- 




116 

70 

93 

33 


312 




















































188 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Reissues: 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1) 


Total. 


Increase under act March 3, 1885: 

1885 . 7^ 

1886 .-. ‘^'^7 

1887 (to March 1). IB 

Total. 320 


3, 3U' 
3, X;75 


Increase under act March 19, 1886: 

March 19 to June 30, 1886 . 79,989 

Increase under act August 4, 1886: 

August 4, 1886, to March 1, 1887 . 8,988 


Num'ber of ])ermanent e:nployes at iJension agencies, March 1, 1887. 


Augusta .... 

Boston. 

Chicago. 

Columbus ... 

Concord_ 

Des Moines.. 

Detroit. 

Indianapolis 
Knoxville ... 
Louisville... 


6 

13 

19 

20 
7 
9 
9 

12 

9 

6 


Milwaukee_ 

New York City 
Philadelphia .. 

Pittsburgh_ 

Sail Francisco . 

Syracuse . 

Topeka . 

Washington... 

Total_ 


8^ 

10 

8 - 

10 

2 

S' 

8 

11 


175 


Number of temporary employes at pension agencies for short periods while making quar¬ 
terly payments, due December 4, 1886. 


Augusta_ 

Chicago. 

Columbus ... 

Concord_ 

Des Moines.. 
Indianapolis 
Knoxville ... 
Louisville... 
Milwaukee .. 


6 

2 

13 

2 

4 

22 

2 

1 

4 


New York City 
Philadelphia .. 
Pittsburgh .... 
San Francisco . 

Syracuse __ 

Topeka . 

Washington... 

Total.... 


19' 

16 

2 

1 

27 

10 

14 


145- 


STATIONERY AND ACCOUNTS DIVISION. 

Report of the stationery and accounts division^ Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of 
business and ivork, as requested by Senate Select Committee and called for by Depart¬ 
ment circular of March 23, 1887. 

Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., April 1, 1887. 

Sir: In compliance with your instructions that the various chiefs of divisions 
furnish you, in so far as it is possible, with the information called for in the circular 
letter of Hon. F. M. Cockrell, chairman of the Select Committee of the Sena,te, I have 
the honor to submit the following report from the stationery and accounts division :: 

This division was organized June 1, 1886, aud the time betweeu that and July 1, 
the beginning of the next fiscal year, was consumed mainly in formulating the methods 
of work to be pursued aud securing the necessary record books, file cases, tfec., so that 
the work of the division could be fairly inaugurated by July !, 1866. 

duties of the division. 

The duties of the division are to audit and approve all accounts of whatsoever 
nature perlaining to the Bureau of Pensions after they have been passed upon by 
the respective chiefs of divisions to which they apply, and to-charge these accounts- 























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


180 


to the proper appropriations ; to make requisition on the Secretary of the Interior for 
.all stationery used by the Bureau, and to issue the same on requisitions, when prop¬ 
erly approved, to the various divisions and employes of the Bureau, charging the 
articles to the divisions or individuals drawing; to make recpiisitions on the honor¬ 
able Secretary of the Interior for the engraving aud printing and binding of all ])en- 
siou checks, pension certiticates, blanks, envelopes, record books, and publications 
used by the Bureau of Pensions, the pension agencies, and the pension examining 
surgeons throughout the country, aud the issuing of the same on properly approveil 
requisitions. 

^ METHOD OF TRAXSACTING BUSINESS. 

The principal accounting work of this division is in connection with the pension 
examining surgeons throughout the country, who number about twenty-live hun¬ 
dred. The certificates of examination, together with the orders for examination, and 
the daily reports of the persons examined, when they are received by the mail <livis¬ 
ion of this Bureau, are transmitted to the medical division, where the certificates are 
examined and accepted or returned for correction, as the case may be, aud the daily 
reports so checked and forwarded to the stationery and accounts division. When the 
reports are received in this division, they are stamped with the date of receipt, and, after 
being scrutinized to see if they are properly checked, are turned over to the clerk who 
keeps the day-book, when he calculates the number of examinations and the amount 
of fees due, aud makes the entry, showing the name of board or surgeon, the town, 
county, aud State, the number accepted, with the amount of fees, and the number 
returned for correction, with the amount of fees. This record is so arranged that at 
anytime the total number of examinations that have been made during the fiscal 
year, with the cost of the same, can be told, together with the number that have been 
returned for correction to the surgeons, the number that have lieeii reeeiv'ed back 
corrected and credited, and the number still outstanding. 

After the entries have been made in the day-book, they are turned over to the two 
employes who keep the ledger accounts with each board, single, civil, special, ex¬ 
pert, and foreign surgeons. These ledgers are so arranged that each county and 
State comes iu alphabetical order, and the number of examinations and the amount 
of fees for any particular surgeon or board can be found almost instantly, aud if 
necessary, with a little labor, the amount of work done iu each county or State. The 
ledgers and day-book are kept closely checked with each orher to avoid any di.s- 
creiiaucies, and the daily reports are filed iu the division for reference. 

At the eud of each quarter the quarterly account of each board or surgeon is ren¬ 
dered iu du]>licate, and, after being certified as correct by the medical division, it is 
forwarded to this division, when, if it agrees with the leilgor account aud with the 
daily reports with which it is compared, it is indorsed as correct and sent to the Com¬ 
missioner for his approval, aud thou returned to the board or surgeon to be presented 
to the proper pension agent for X)aymeut. If there is any discrepancy between the 
quarteily account and the books of this Bureau, it is returned for correction, unless 
it be merely a mistake iu charging the proper fee fixed by law. In such cases the 
account is apxiroved for the amount which the law fixes for the number ot examiua- 
tions rei>orted. 

Every account when it is closed on the ledger by the approval of the quarterly 
voucher is entered upon a book, which is called ‘"A Register of Vouchers Approved,” 
aud which shows at anytime the number of examinations, with their cost, which 
have been approved, the date of approval, the name of the board or surgeon, and 
the place, the character of examinations, whether by boord, single, civil, special, 
expert, or foreign surgeons, and whether the af)plicauts weie ot the Anny or Navy, 
and the agency at which it is x)ayabl(3, the total amount being the liabilities against 
the api)rox)riation. 

This division also scrutinizes aud audits the monthly and semi-monthly expense 
accounts of all special and detailed pension examiners in the field, after they have^ 
been approved by the chief ot the s|)ecial-examination division, the amount ot 
their per diem and expenses being charged to the res^iective appropriations to which 
they apply. They are then transmitted to the Commissioner lor his approval, after 
which they are forwarded to the Secretary of the Interior for his axiproval before be¬ 
ing finally sent to the disbursing ofii cer for payment. 

In addition to the foregoing, this division keeps an account of all expenses ot the 
pension agencies for whatever purpose, aud ot the apxiroxiriations tor Aimy and 
Navy pensions, for fees ot examining surgeons, aud for clerk hire, fuel, light, and 
contingent expenses of the xiension agencies. All requisitions for funds drawn against 
these various approxiriatioiis by the agents’ division on the feecretary ot the Inteiioi 
i)ass through this division for record before being forwarded t^ the Secretary. 

The books of this division are checked with the books of the agents’ division each 
?week, and every Monday morning there is a statement made to the honorable Secre- 


190 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


tary of tlie Interior of the condition of every appropriation for the Bureau of Pensions, 
for the pension agencies, for the payment of Army and Navy pensions, and for the 
fees of examining surgeons. 


THE AMOUNT OF WORK PENDING. 

This division only being organized last June, it is of course impossible to^ furnish 
any data for jirior years. The vrork of the division is entirely current, and it is not ' 
allowed to accumulate, it being a rare instance for any work to remain in the division 
undisposed of for twenty-four hours, consequently we have no pending work on hand 
to report. 

AVERAGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYES. 

The average number of employds in this division has been nine, and at no time has 
there been to exceed eleven, and for only two or three weeks was that number em¬ 
ployed. The employes commence work at 9 a. m., and, with the exception of ^ half 
hour tor lunch, from 12.30 to 1 o’clock p. m., work until 4 p. m., except when it is 
necessary to work later to complete some special or pressing work, when they have 
several times worked over hours. In no case has a single clerk in this division been 
absent for the full amount of time which the rules of the Department allow for leave 
of absence with pay. 


AMOUNT OF WORK PERFORMED BY EMPLOYES. 


It is impossible to give the amount of work performed by each individual employ€, 
as no such record has been kept. I can only say in general terms that three persons 
are employed in the stationery and printing branch of the work, while the others are 
employed on the accounts. The accounting work of the division is so varied and 
irregular that no one employd is constantly engaged upon one class of work, and in 
my opinion it would be impracticable to keep a record of this class of work which 
would convey an intelligible idea of the amount and value of the work performed by 
each employe. 

Very respectfully, 

C. F. GILLIAM, 

Chiefs Stationery and Accounts Division, 


Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received,, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undis¬ 
posed of, at the dates specified below, in the stationery and accounts division of the 
Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior: 


Character of busine.ss. 

Received 
up to 
March 1, 
1887. 

Disposed 
of up to 
March 1, 
1887. 

Character of business. 

Received 
up to 
March 1, 
1887. 

Di.sposed 
of up to 
March 1, 
188-7. 

Daily reports of medical ex- 



Requisitions on the Secre- 



arainations received, au- 



tary of Interior for print- 



dited, and entered on day 



ing, engraving, and bind- 



book and ledgers.. 

25, 031 

25, 031 

inff. 


517 

Quarterly accounts of exam- 

Blanks and envelopes re- 


ining surgeons audited, ap- 



ceived and distributed.... 

7, 746, 375 

7, 746,375 

proved, and recorded in 



Record books received and 



register . 

5, 521 

5, 521 

distributed .'.. 

1,664 

1,664 

Special examiners’ expense 

Reams of paper received 

accounts received, audited, 



and distributed. 

598 

598 

approved, and charged to 



Commissioner’s report and 



proper appropriations. 

2,115 

2,115 1 

laws and regulations. 

35, 000 

35, 000 

Requisitions for funds for 


Division and "personal req. 

pension agents and reim- 



uisitions filled in Bu- 



bursement requisitions en- 



reau. 

3, 344 

3, 344 

tered and charged to vari- 



Requisitions packed and 



ous appropriations.. 

2, 450 

2, 450 

shipped to the special ex- 



Requisitions on the .Secretary 



aminers and ex.araining 



of Interior for stationery 



.surgeons. 

4, 578 

4, 578 

and miscellaneous supplies. 


145 





It is estimated that the amount of blanks, &c., distributed equals the amount 
received, as the stock on hand is kept as near the same as possible. 

The work of the division is entirely current, and is usually disposed of on the 
same day as received. 






























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


191 


SUPERINTENDENT’S DIVISION. 


Report of the superintendent’s division, Bureau of Pensions, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested hij Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 2‘S, lti87. 


Department of the Interior, 

Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C., April 2.1887. 

Sir : la compliance with your request, I have the honor to submit the following 
statement of the character of the labor jierformed by the employes of the Bureau of 
Pensions, coming under the superintendent of building. 

The messenger force. —The messenger force is composed of forty-five persons, twenty- 
five messengers at $840 per annum, and twenty messenger boys at $400 per anmiui. 
These messengers and messenger boys are assigned to duty in the diftereut divisions 
of the Bureau in proportion to the number of iiersous in each division and the char¬ 
acter of the work to be performed. 

Engineers and firemen. —The law provides for two engineers and three firemen in the 
Bureau of Pensions. The ; ngineers have charge of the boiler-room and the heating 
apparatus. The firemen are subject to the orders of the engineers, and, besides watch¬ 
ing the fires, assist the engineers in running the pumps, &c. 

The watch force. —The watch forceis composed of twenty-four persons—a captain,, 
three sergeants, and twenty watchmen. The watchmen are divided into three reliefs; 
the first watch coming at 8 a. m.; the second at 4 p. ni., and the third at 12 midnight. 
The captain, assisted by one of the sergeants, has charge of the watch from 8 a. m. to 4 
p. m., and each of the night watches is in charge of a sergeant. The watchmen have 
charge of the building and its property, and are held to a strict accountability for the 
faithful performance ef their duties. 

The labor-roll. —The labor-roll contains the names of twenty-five persons. These 
men do the labor work of the bureau—sweeping, scrubbing, and cleaning generally, 
besides the heavier work of moving furniture, &c. The labor force is none too large 
for the amount and character of work to be performed. 

Charwomen. —The law provides for five charwomen in the Bureau of Pensions. 
The salaries of these women is $400 each. They have charge of the ladies’ dressing- 
rooms, pick over the waste paper, &c. 

Skilled labor. —The law provides for no skilled labor in the Bureau of Pensions; and 
as a consequence two copyists have been detailed for duty under the superintendent. 
One of these men is a carpenter, and the other a gas and steam fitter, and their serv¬ 
ices could not be dispensed with. 

liecapitulation. —The total number of persons doing duty under the superintendent 
of building is as follows: 


Messengers. 

Messsengers boys. 20 

Engineers. 2 

Firemen. 3 

Watchmen. 24 


Laborers. 25 

Copyists. 2 

Charwomen . 5 


Total. 108 


I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

W. F. SCHUCKERS, 
Superintendent of Building. 

Hon. John C. Black, 

Commissioner of Pensions. 


THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. 

DIVISION A. 

Report of Division A, General Land Office, on the methods of business and work, as re. 
quested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 2\ 
1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the A division of 
the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior. 

Division A of the General Land Office is immediately under the direction of th® 
chief clerk, whose duties are multiform and quite difficult to enumerate. He has th® 
supervision of the whole force in the office, assigns employes to the respective divis‘ 
ions, makes details and transfers of clerks from one division to another as the exigency 
of the service may demand, grants all leaves not exceeding one day, examines and 














192 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


initials all applications for leaves exceeding one day ; under his direction and super¬ 
vision is apportioned the contingent fund I'or local land offices, and are prepared for 
the signature of the Commissioner all letters authorizing expenditures tor rents, 
clerks, furniture, and other contingent expenses of local land offices. All requisitions 
for blanks and stationery for said offices are examined and approved by him. 

Under his supervision and requisitions, are issued all stationery supplies to the em¬ 
ployes of the office, and he has kept by the stationery clerk an account of all station¬ 
ery issued to each employe; the stationery clerk being charged with all supplies re¬ 
ceived and only credited with the approved requisitions of the chief clerk, an account 
being opened with each employe, showing tho amount and date of each article tii-r- 

nished. ..it. 

The bonds of all bonded officers of this Bureau are examiiied and initialed by the 
chief clerk and then submitted to the Commissioner for his signature. All office cir¬ 
culars are required to be placed before him for his examination aud initials and then 
submitted to the Commissioner; all telegrams likewise. 

All letters written in Division A are examined, and, if approved, are initialed by the 
chief clerk before submitting same to the Commissioner. All proposals tor bids aud 
contracts for photoliihographing maps and plats are made under his supervision and 
then submitted to the Commissioner. 

All departmental and official orders are transmitted through him to employes. He 
examines the weekly summary report made by the several chiefs of the work done in 
their respective divisions, corrects the same, if necessary, initials them and then sub¬ 
mits them to the Commissioner. 

He, in connection with the Assistant Commissioner and the two law clerks, examines 
the tabulated abstracts of proof of all agricultural entries after the same have been 
prepared and examined by the board of review. If said tabulated abstracts are ap¬ 
proved, the lands are recommended for patent and signed by the Assistant Commis¬ 
sioner, chief clerk, and law clerks. 

The chief clerk keeps a record of all moneys received in this office, examines aud 
verilies the weekly report aud vouchers of the receiving clerk. 

It is to him largely that personal applications are made by Senators and Representa¬ 
tives in the interest of their constituents, aud other citizens for information relative 
to the status of claims in which tho parties are interested. 

The foregoing are some of the many duties devolved upon the chief clerk. 

Division A embraces the law clerks, law examiners, registering room, receiving 
clerk, aud the stationery, printing, .and file clerk. Tho last-named clerk keeps recoriL 
of the leaves of absence of the entire land service. Legal and intricate (juestions 
arising in the office, drafts and reports on bills to Congress and matters of special 
importance are acted upon by the law clerks. The law clerks and law examiners 
read and initial all letters and communications ])repared in all the other divisions 
before the same are placed before the Commissioner fur signature, thereby securing 
uniform action. 

The law clerks examine such cases aud matters .as the Commissioner directs, and 
prepare decisions aud instructions wheu so reijuired. They are called upon daily for 
information, opinions relative to legal questions arising in the administration of tho 
land laws, aud the practice of tho office and Department and of local land offices. 
Chiefs of divisions and clerks are permitted to consult the law clerks at any time. 

The law clerks also'■critically read each day aud examine as to correctness of law 
aud practice, all letters and decisions prepared in the railroad aud special service 
divisions, aud the decisions and instructions relative to surveys and private land 
claims, and such other letters, decisions and instructions prejiared in other divisions 
of the office as may be specially referred to them by tho Commissioner. They also 
prepare, or examine and revise, under the direction of the Commissioner, important 
reports to the Secretary upon special matters, and rejiortsto Congress upon bills and 
resolutions, and prepare, or examine and revise, drafts for circulars of instruction to 
local land officers, surveyors-general, and special agents. The work is of such varied 
character that no tabulation of it or comparative statement could be made. 

The law clerks are habitually employed at their tlesks from one to two hours daily 
beyond office hours. 

The registering room receives, opens, briefs, numbers and registers all letters and 
communications received in this office. The system is thorough and letters are read¬ 
ily found, few or no losses being sustained. 

The receiving clerk is a bonded offici.al, receiving all money transmitted to this 
office. Deposits are made in the United States Treasury at the end of each week, and 
report transmitted to the Honorable Secret.ary of the Interior for verificat ion by the 
Treasury Department. The moneys received are for exemplifications of the records 
and fees aud commissions for lands "entered aud sold in the States of Ohio, Indiana and 
Illinois, where the Commissioner is ex-officio register and receiver (act of March H, 
1887). This clerk also has charge of the pay rolls of this office (payments are made 
semi-monthly), writes letters authorizing the employment of clerks in local laud offices 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


193 


and rent for said offices. All complaints preferred against local officers and survey- 
ors-general are referred to him to examine and write letters therein, and he also 
writes other miscellaneous letters. 

The stationery, printing, and tile clerk draws the requisitions and examines the 
same for issue of stationery supplies, for this office, special agents, local laud service 
and snrveyors-general, puts his initials on same and then submits them to the chief 
clerk for his examination and signature. 

Also all printing and binding for the entire land service together with the issue of 
the same, are dealt with in the same way. He examines theSionds of local laud offi¬ 
cers and snrveyors-general, affixes his initials and then submits them to the chief 
clerk for his examination, approval, and initials, and writes the letters transmitting 
the commissions of the above named officers, has charge of the tiles of the division and 
writes miscellaneous letters. 

Following the mail through the process of registration, it is as follows : 

First: All communications addressed to this office are taken to the general register¬ 
ing room ; letters are folded in as nearly a uniform size as possible, and if there be 
sufficient tdank space on same, a summary of the contents is written on the back in 
as brief a manner as the case will admit. 

If there be not sufficient blank space on the back of the letter, or if the letter is to 
be returned to the writer, it is put into a jacket and the brief of contents written 
thereon. / 

The next step is to separate the letters into ditferent classes, as follows : Depart¬ 
mental letters, Congressional letters, gubernatorial letters, surveyor-general letters, 
register and receiver letters, money letters, and miscellaneous letters. When each 
class has been arranged separately inalphabetiecal order the letters are each stamped 
with a number and the date of the receipt thereof, the number running consecutively 
from No. 1 at the beginning of the calendar year up to the highest at the end of the 
year. 

The letters are then noted on a general index in order according to their number. 
This index gives the number, initial of writer, class of letter, and the division of the 
Bureau to which same are delivered. The letters are then registered in the several 
volumes to which they properly belong and then delivered to the proper divisions. 
When letters are to be transferred from the division where first sent to another divis¬ 
ion, or from this Bureau to another department or Bureau, they are again brought 
to the registering room and the transfer noted in the proper volume opposite the 
entry of the letter. 

In transferring letters from one division to another Department or Bureau the fact 
is noted both on the index and on the volume in which same were originally regis¬ 
tered. 

When a letter contains an inclosure a note of the same is made on the back of the 
letter or on the jacket giving the number of iuclosures, and the number of the letter 
is written on each inclosure. 


RECEIVING CLERK. 

# 

Under the act of Congress of July 2, 1864, one of the employes of the General Land 
Office is designated as the receiv^ing clerk, and to his keeping all moneys received at 
the General Land Office for exempiifications of records, &c., are committed and dis¬ 
posed of as hereinafter mentioned. Letters received at the General Land Office are 
opened by the Commissioner and assistant commissioner and chief clerk, and those 
containing remittances are turned over to the receiving clerk, who places each letter 
in a st^parate special jacket or envelope, properly briefed, with the name of the writer, 
the address, date, amount, and purpose for which it is intended. 

These letters are then entered by the receiving clerk in a special register of money 
letters, and then handed to the chief clerk, who keeps a check-list of the name and 
amount inclosed in each letter. 

These letters are then sent to the registering room for registering in the usual man¬ 
ner and reference to appropriate divisions. 

When the letters are answered, the division so answering sends the letters to the 
receiving clerk, who notes upon his register the date of answer and division in 
which answered, and in case that any fee in excess of the amount required by law 
has been remitted, the balance is returned to the sender in a registered letter to in¬ 
sure safe delivery. , ^ tt -i. j 

At the end of each week the receiving clerk deposits in the Treasury ot the united 
States the money received during the week, taking therefor a certificate of deposit. 

He then prepares a weekly statement ot the gross amounts received, the amount 
returned to senders or otherwise disposed of, the amount deposited in the Preasiiry, 
and his balance on hand. 

Statement is examined and verified by the chief clerk and afterwards approved by 
the Commissioner and transmitted to the Secretary of the Interior. 

4402 INT- 13 




194 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Statement of business of receiving clerk. 



Money let¬ 
ters re¬ 
ceived. 

Gross cash re¬ 
ceipts. 

Cash deposited 
with U. S. 
Treasury. 

Fiscal year eading— 

June 30,1884 .«... 

4, 087 
3,472 
4,133 
2,631 

14, 523 91 
10, 083 09 
12,449 90 
8,435 60 

10, 274 76 
8, 821 85 
10, 587 40 
7,100 00 

June 30,1885 . 

Juno 30,1886 .. 

July 1, 1886, to March 1, 1887. 



The difference between the amount of cash received and the amount deposited in 
the United States Treasury was returned to the senders, the sum remitted being in 
excess of the legal fees required. 

The larger difference between the gross amount received and deposited in 1S84 was 
caused by the fact that at that time the office frequently received moneys in substi¬ 
tution for land warrants, which were taken up as cash receipts, and subsequently 
applied as the law requires in payment for the land. Since 1884 such moneys have 
been accounted for by the local land officers. 

Under act of March 3, 1877. 

The Commissioner of the General Land Office as ex-officio register and receiver of 
land offices in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, has received as follows, and deposited in the 
U. S. Treasury : 


During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884: 

Sales of land in Ohio. |193 64 

Sales of land in Illinois. 122 61 

- 316 25 


Fees and commissions on sales of land in Ohio. 12 49 

Fees and commissions on sales of land in Indiana. 6 00 

Fees and 'commissions on sales of land in Illinois. 19 61 

-38 10 


During the fiscal year ending June .30, 1835 : 

Sales of land in Illinois. 30 90 

Fees and commLssions on sales of land in Indiana. 7 00 

- 37 90 


During the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886: 

Fees and commissions on sales of land in Indiana. 5 00 

Fees and commissions on sales of land in Ohio. 1 00 

-6 00 


During the current fiscal year from July 1, 1886, to March 1, 1887, the sum of $70.89 
has been received on account of the foregoing ; but final disposition of all the cases 
has not been made and the exact amounts to be deposited under the respective 
heads cannot now be determined. 

\ 

attorneys’ room. 

A room in the General Land Office is set apart for the use of attorneys practicino- 
before the office, and is placed in charge of a clerk, whose duty it is to* receive from 
such attorneys as are authorized by departmental regulations to practice before the 
office proper cards of request for permission to examine such records and papers on 
the files of the office as they may be entitled to inspect under the rules and to pro¬ 
cure from the respective divisions such papers and under his personal supervision 
permit the same to be inspected and the desired information obtained by copy or 
otherwise. The records are then returned to their proper places. 

Such cards of inquiry average over 500 per week, and their usage in the manner 
indicated prevents obstruction and delay in the conduct of official business which 
would necessarily follow were the rooms of the respective divisions open to such 
visits. 




































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


195 


TACKING ROOM. 

lu this room all plats, both of public surveys ami miueral, together with all lists^ 
&.C., are mounted on cloth for binding and their better preservation. 

During the past year there were mounted 4,500 plats of public land surveys and 
1,100 mineral plats, besides a number of railroad selections, ifec., requiring 982 yards 
of ten-quarter cotton cloth. The packer stitches all mineral patents and prepares for 
mailing all maps, reports, circulars, and heavy packages. He also has in charge the 
tiles of circulars issued from time to time by this office. 

MESSENGERS AND LABORERS. 

This force is under the supervision of one person detailed as chief messenger, and 
consists of 26 persons. 

Eight messengers, 12 laborers, 6 designated as packers, doing service as assistant 
messengers and laborers. Of the laborers one is detailed to the office of the Secre¬ 
tary. This force does all messenger work and have charge of the rooms and halls oc¬ 
cupied by this office. 

The foregoing, with the reports from the several divisions, comprises the employes 
of the General Land Office i)roper, and there are besides, and under its authority and 
supervision, the following additional officers and employes: 

SURVEYORS-GENERAL. 

There are 15 surveyors-general, not including that of Alaska, where the United 
States marshal is ex-officio surveyor-general. No surveys have been made in that Ter¬ 
ritory. All surveys of xjublic lands are under the immediate supervision of the offi¬ 
cers. They are bonded officials and acting disbursing officers, employing their own 
clerks, renting quarters, &c., under specific appropriation by Congress. Their ac¬ 
counts, as well as all others pertaining to the General Land Office, are audited in this 
office. They make contract with and approve the bonds of deputy surveyors subject 
to the approval of this office. 

There are employed in the several offices of the surveyors-general 102 persons as 
clerks, draftsmen, copyists, messengers, and janitors, at salaries ranging from $120 to 
$2,400 x)or annum. 

REGISTERS AND RECEIVERS. 

There are 109 local land offices in operation now ; 2 (in Nebraska) not as yet opened 
for business (officers appointed have not qualitied) and 1 (in Wyoming) organized 
by act of March 3, 1887 (no officers have been appointed); total, 112. All local offi¬ 
cers are bonded ; the receiver is a disbursing agent. 

There are employed in these offices 118 clerks at an annual expenditure of $95,184.09 ; 
salaries range from $600 to $1,200 per annum, and rents allowed amounting to 
$13,946.75. ♦ 

The held force of this office consists of 78 persons, divided as follows : 


Inspector of United States land offices and offices of surveyors-general. 3 

Examiner of surveys. 4 

Examiners of swamp lands. 7 

Fraudulent entries. 30 

Timber depredations.-. 27 

Custodians abandoned military reservations. 7 


* 

The hrst named are paid $2,000 per annum. Swamp land agents, $1,400 and $1,500 
per annum. Fraudulent laud agents, $1,500 to $1,600 per annum. Timber depreda¬ 
tions, $1,200 and $1,400 per annum. Of the custodians of abandoned military reserva¬ 
tions, 5 receive salaries ranging from $25 to $75 per month. Two receive no compen¬ 
sation. In addition to the salary jiaid, all are allowed a per diem of $2.50 (except cus¬ 
todians), and their actual and necessary expenses. 

All letters authorizing expenditures for rents, clerk-hire, and furniture for local of- 
hces, and all contingent expenses are prepared in division A, also all requisitions for 
statfonery and blanks for local offices and surveyors general. 

INSPECTORS. 

Three inspectors of United States land offices and offices of surveyors-general con¬ 
stitute a part of the General Laud Office. They are appointed by the Secretary of 
the Interior, and their duties consist in making periodical examinations of the local 
offices and offices of surveyors-general, giving the officers of the same proper instruc¬ 
tions as to the manner of conducting business, correcting informalities, and generally 
supervising their work so far as may be practicable in the limited time at their dis¬ 
posal. These inspectors are assigned to separate sections of the country in which the 
offices are located, and they are recpiired to report to this office tfe result of each in¬ 
spection made, and the condition of the work in the respective offices, making such 
suggestions as to the manner of work as their experience demonstrates is essential to 










196 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE' INTERIOR. 


the proper coudiict of the same. They also arc called upon to investigate any charges 
affecting the personal or official conduct of the officers, and to report the result ot 
such investigations. 

They are also required to make report every week to this office, showing their 
whereabouts and their occupation each day. 

EXAMINERS OF SURVEYS. 

Their duties consist in examining surveys in the field, testing measurements, and 
reporting the exact conditions of surveys as found, describing corners found, noting 
failures to establish the same, discrepancy in measurement, or any other failures to 
comply with the contracts and instructions, and carrying out any other instructions 
issued by this office. 

SWAMP-LAND AGENTS. 

Swamp-land agents are required to make an examination in the field of lands 
claimed under the acts of Congress granting swamp and overflowed lands to a num¬ 
ber of States, aud make detailed reports sliowiug the character of each smallest 
legal subdivision of land examined. They also examine aud report on lands on which 
indemnity is claimed as swamp and overflowed lauds sold by the United States or lo¬ 
cated with warrants, and attend at the taking of testimony iu support of such 
claims, for the purpose of cross-examining witnesses and taking such other measures 
as may be necessary to protect the interests of the Government. 

SPECIAL AGENTS FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF FRAUDULENT LAND ENTRIES. 

Wheuevmr any charges are preferred against an entry or claim by a person other 
than legal contestant, or there is evidence tending to show fraud, or that the law has 
not been complied w ith, the special agent is required to make a thorough and per¬ 
sonal investigation of the case. His first duty after conferring with the person who 
made the charges, if the information was furnished by an individual, is to locate aud 
examine the laud, aud ascertain its character and present condition and the, nature 
and value of the improvements thereou, aud, if the claim is a homestead or pre-emp¬ 
tion, the evidences of inhabitancy, cultivation, or improvement during the period 
covered by the claimant’s proof, or, if a desert claim, the evidences of reclamation or 
non-reclamation of the land within the time required by the lawL He then proceeds 
to ascertain, from any person who may bo cognizant of the facts, all the evidence 
tending to show compliance or non-compliance with the requirements of the law' 
under which the entry or claim was made; the circumstances under which it 
was made aud held; the good or bad faith of claimant; w'hether the entry w'as 
made iu the interest of any person other than eutrymau, aud w'hether or not the 
land had been conveyed, aud in ascertaining this fact the county records are always 
examined. If the entry man is alleged or supposed to be fictitious, he obtains the 
evidence of persons who are well acquainted in the neighborhood to show that such 
person was unknown and could not have lived on the laud wdthont their knowledge; 
and the personal tax list aud county record are also examined. All persons who may 
know a ly material fact are interviewed and their affidavits taken, if it is deemed 
necessary aud the parties are willing to give them, and the claimant, if he can be 
found, is advised that he can sub nit his statement or any evidence he may have 
favorable to the entry. The agent is required to critically examine and ascertain 
whether or not the entryman has failed to comply with any requirement of the law 
under which the entry w^as made, and to do this he must be familiar with the various 
land laws aud the rulings of the Land Department aud the courts thereou. The re¬ 
sult of the investigation aud all the facts discovered are submitted iu a full report to 
the Commissioner of the General Land Office, who takes the iiroper action on the 
entry. Should a hearing be ordered, as is always done on the application of any 
party iu interest, it then becomes the duty of the agent to attend to the service of the 
notices and procure the attendance of his witnesses, there being no judicial writ or 
process to aid him. At the trial he acts in the capacity of an attorney for the Gov- 
erunient; presents its case, aud cross-examines the defendant’s witnesses. Whenever 
the investigation develops a criminal offense against the laud laws, the agent pre¬ 
sents the facts to the United States district attorney and renders him all possible aid 
in procuring the evidence of the crime. In cases where suits are brought to vacate 
land patents or to remove all unlawful inclosures of the public lands, he is relied upon 
by the United States attorney to obtain the evidence to support or sustain the suit, 
and to do this efficiently necessitates a thorough investigation of the case and gener¬ 
ally a survey of the land involved. The duty of investigating aud reporting upon 
charges of unprofessional conduct of attorneys aud agents practicing before the local 
offices and the Department also devolves upon the special agents, and requires judg¬ 
ment of the highest degree of intelligence. The agents submit weekly reports, show¬ 
ing the work they w»'e engaged on during each day of the week, besides making 
special reports on the cases investigated. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


197 


SYNOPSIS OF THE DUTIES OF SPECIAL TIMBER AGENTS. 

Special timber agents are assigned to duty in certain States, Territories, or dis¬ 
trict, wherein they have a general sux^ervision and charge over all timber upon Gov¬ 
ernment land. 

It is their duty to keep themselves thoroughly informed respecting the condition 
of the timber on public lauds in their districts and to jjrotect the same from waste 
and destruction from any and all sources. 

Ui)ou receipt of intimation to the effect that trespass has been, or is being, perpe¬ 
trated upon public timber within his jurisdiction, it is exx)ected of the agent that he 
will visit the locality and investigate the alleged tre8})ass in j)erson. Should the iu- 
vestigation result in developing trespass, a report thereon is required upon the proper 
form, x>re8enting the facts of trespass in detail, in such a manner as to form a sound 
basis upon which to recommend projier action against the guilty jiarties. In every 
instance m which legal jiroceedings are ordered upon such reiiorts, the agent is ex¬ 
pected to render to the prosecuting United States attorney such required assistance as 
he is able, and thereafter advise this office resiiecting the outcome of the jiroceed- 
iugs. • 

In cases in which settlement by jiayment of due measure of damages by the proiier 
Xiarties is deemed advisable by the Department the agent is required to issue jiroper 
notice to that effect, and subsequently keep this office duly advised respecting action 
taken thereunder. 

Ill cases in which depredations are committed upon uuperfected entries, separate 
reports upon the lauds involved are submitted, and the agent is required to thereafter 
hold himself in readiness to render assistance in disposing of—under instructions from 
this office—the question of title to the lauds raised by thg facts presented in his 
reiiort. 

In cases demanding emergent action the agent is required to apply to the projier 
United States attorney to institute the legal jiroceediugs requisite, and thereafter re- 
jiort as above indicated. 

Agents are required to submit each week a report ]uesenting a brief statement of 
official acts each day of the week. 

Agents are required to submit semi-annually a report showing in every case inves¬ 
tigated and reported, with all action taken therein, until ffually closed. 

Agents are required to keeq) an accurate account of all exxienses incurred incident 
to the discharge of their official duties, over and above their actual daily expenses, 
and to submit a monthly itemized statement of same accompanied by proper vouchers. 

CUSTODIANS OF MILITARY RESERVATIONS 

have the care and custody of abandoned military reservations turned over to the 
Department. On many of'them are buildings of value and other improvements left 
by the military authorities, and it is for the protection of these improvements that 
these custodians are appointed. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the chief clerk’s 
division of the General Laud Office, in the Deiiartment of the Interior, including 
one'or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing in 
consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

An applicant for appointment as receiver of public moneys files his application for 
apiiointuient with the honorable Secretary of the Interior; the ap^iointmeiit is made 
by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. 
The commission is drawn, signed by the President and Secretary of the Interior, 
and transmitted to this office. A bond is jirepared with blank affidavits and instruc¬ 
tions are forwarded to the appointee, who is directed to execute the instruinent in 
conformity with the instructions. The bond and affidavit are sent to this office; if 
found correct, are forwarded to the honorable Secretary for approval; when approved 
they are returned to this office. The names of the sureties arc noted with the 
amounts of surety. The xiroper notes are made on the bond book, the division of 
accounts notified, the bond is transmitted to the First Comptroller of the Treasury, 
and the commission scut to the appointee. He enters on duty, gives receipts in du¬ 
plicate to the outgoing officer, who forwards one to this office and retains the other 
copy, and from th”e day following the date of said receipts the new officer enters on 
duty and his pay commences. 



198 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, aud disjjosed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the A division of the General Land Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


--- —5 - 

Character of business. 

Tear. 

Amount pend¬ 
ing on Jan. 1. 

During calen¬ 
dar year. 

Disposed of 
during year. 

TiOtt.PTs recftivcii reffi stored. 

1884 

None. 

131,652 
132,482 

131,652 

Do ..V. 

1885 

N one. 

132,482 

Do. 

Do. 

1886 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

N one. 

139, 086 

139, 086 


None. 

23, 660 

23, 660 


The work of this division is current, and is disposed of dailjr. There has never 
been any classified record kept of business received and transacted, aud to make a 
statement as called for by this blank, and make the compilation, would require the 
examinations of many volumes of records containing the different items of business 
disposed of. It is practicable to give the number of letters received and registered 
each year, aud also the number received for the years specified, in which are included 
the reports in duplicate from registers and receivers and applications for circulars, 
&c. Registering the former was continued up to August 1, lb85, when it was discon¬ 
tinued as to one report, and the registering of applications for circulars was discon¬ 
tinued August, lb85. These two items are estimated to number about 11,500 annually; 
therefore, to get a correet idea of the increase of business in this office by the number 
of letters registered, in comparing the number received in 1886 with former years, the 
sum of 11,500, which is included in former years but now discontinued, should be 
added to the number received in 1886 aud a proportionate amount for 1887; by so 
doing an intelligent and approximate idea may be had of the increase. 

A statement of the average amount and character of business performed, transacted, 
and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in the A division of the 
General Land Office, Department of the Interior, is not given. No monthly classi¬ 
fied account of the business performed has been kept. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the A divis¬ 
ion of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci¬ 
fied : 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1884. 

18 

19 

19 

19 

19 

20 

19 

20 

20 

19 

19 

1885. 

20 

18 

19 

19 

19 

19 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

1886. 

19 

19 

19 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

20 

1887 (to March 1). 

19 

19 












No statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted 
aud disposed of by the em^iloy^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least 
during the periods specified, in the A division of the General Land Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior, can be given. The clerks have been fully employed, but 
no account kept of the business transacted and disposed of by each employ6, for the 
reason that it was never required, and in most cases wholly impracticable. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the A division of the General Laud Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. of 
employ 6 s. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average No. of 
hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

Possible 
No. of days. 

1884 . 

19J 

19A 

19| 

19 

263/t 

OTl.ui 
^ ^ :i y 

07033 

46-^- 


307 

301i 

305 

48 

1885. 


1886 . 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

7 




























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


199 


The official day is from 9 to 4 (7 hours), but there is allowed to the employes thirty 
minutes, from 12 m. to 12.30 p. m., for lunch, which is almost invariably availed of, 
which would bring the average hours of attendance to not exceeding 6^ hours. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to busi¬ 
ness by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum 
number of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of 
days in the A division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Maxinaum No. of days... 

285 

300^ 

260i 

305 

48 

"MininriTim No. of days......... 

241 

261 

37 



1884. —Maximum time made by E. H. Minor, packer; minimum, A. M. Stagg, 
copyist. 

1885. —Maximum time made by two law clerks, W. O. Conway and J.W. Le Barnes; 
minimum, A. M. Stagg, copyist. 

1886. —Maximum time made by W. O. Conway, law clerk; minimum, J. E. Shep¬ 
herd, class 1. 

1887. to Mar. 1.—Maximum time made by ten clerks of the division; minimum, G. 
A. Wooley, class 1. 


RECORDER’S (B) DIVISION. 

Report of the recorder'^s (B) division, General Land Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as required by Senate Select Committee, and called for bn Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the recorder’s di¬ 
vision of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

The business of this division comprises the receiving and answering letters relative 
to bounty land warrants, the public lands, and miscellaneous subjects. 

Tlie issuing of patents, the examination of same, in connection with the certificates 
of entry, and the recording of said patents. The examination of said records in con¬ 
nection with the patents and certificates of entry. 

The examination of bounty land warrants that have been returned to this office by 
the district officers after their location upon the public lands. 

The Lirnishing certified copies of the records and papers on file in this division when 
ordered, in accordance with the provisions of section 461, Revised Statutes, and circu¬ 
lar of July 20, 1875. 

Answering attorneys’ cards. 

Indexing the records. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the recorder’s 
division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beo-inning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

All letters received in this division from the general registering room, after which 
they are handed to the registering clerk of the division, who proceeds to register them 
in the division in alphabetical order, giving the date of the letter, date when it was 
received, name and address of the writer, office number of letter, and a brief of the 
contents of said letter. The letters are then distributed to the proper clerks for an- 
■sweriug. When answered the date of the answer is indorsed on the letter and the 
letter is returned to the registering clerk, who makes the proper notes on the register. 
All letters received after j)roper action is taken upon them are filed in alphabetical 

Cases for patenting are sent to this division by the board of review after having 

been duly examined and approved. , , , v i 

The cases are accompanied with a letter addressed by the Commissioner to recorder 
instructing him to prepare and issue patents for described entries. A letter ad- 
















200 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


dressed by the CommissioDer to the President’s secretary to si^n laud parents 
requesting the Secretary’s signature, under the direction of the President of the 
United States, to described patents, also accompanies the cases from the board of 
review. The clerk in charge of such cases, in this division, after they are receiv’ed, 
enters them on the proper charge books and distributes them to the patent writers, 
who i)repare the patents from the certilicates of entry. 

After the patents are written they are sent to tbe board of examiners, who exairiine 
them in connection with the certilicates of entry, and if found to be correct, the 
patents are sent to the President’s secretary with a letter requesting her signature. 
After signing the patents she returns them to the recorder, who tlien proceeds to 
countersign them ; after which they are sent to the sealing room, where the seal of t he 
office is attached. The patent is now complete, and they are sent to the recording 
clerks, who record them in the proper volumes. After they are recorded the patents, 
the records, and the certificates of entry are sent io the second board of examiners for 
final examination. This board is composed of three examiners, one of whom holds 
the certificate of entry, which'is read, one the record, and the third the patent. After 
a careful examination, if the patent and the record agree with the certificate of entry, 
the patents are delivered to the transmission clerk, who transmits them to the ad¬ 
dress of the register of the proper land office or to the address of the party who may 
have surrendered to this office the duplicate receipt. 

Bounty laud warrants after location upon public lands are returned to this office 
by the district officers where the locations were made. They are examined in this 
division, and if it is found that no caveat has been tiled against the satisfaction of 
the warrant and that the assignments are correct, the locations are properly regis¬ 
tered on the register in this division. 

The warrants and location papers, with the abstracts of warrants located, are then 
sent to the public lands division for examination, as the correctness of the loca¬ 
tion. If any defect in the assignment of the warrant is found, or a conflict with a 
prior entry, the location is suspended and correspondence opened Avith the district 
officers of the district where the location was made, and when the cause of suspen¬ 
sion has been removed the location is referred to the board of review for final action. 

Attorneys’ cards request information as to the name and residence of the party who 
may have made an entry of a certain tract of land, and if patented, the date of patent, 
the number of the volume and page where recorded. No account of the number of 
such cards received has been kept, but they amount to thousands each year. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hnad, pending, and undisposed of, at the dates 
specified below in the recorder’s division of the General Land Office, Department 
of the Interior. 


Character of business. 

During 1883-’84. 

Disposed of, 1883-’84. 

t 

During 1884:-’85. 

lO 

CO 

00 

o 

(D 

OQ 

O 

OQ 

P 

During 1885-’86. 

Disposed of, 188;5-’86. 

1 

During part of fiscal 
year July 1,1886, to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Transacted and dis¬ 
posed of during part 
of fiscal vear July 1, 
1886, to Mar. 1,1887. , 

i 

Letters received. 

16,605 


15,454 


15, 748 


8, 993 


Letters written. 

14, 532 

13, 468 

12,'486' 

6, 636 

Pages of record covered by let- 





ters written. 


8, 799 


7, 995 


7, 279 


2, 800 

Copies furnished from patent 





records.-. 


4, 790 


4, 005 


4, 903 


2, 730 

Number of warrants examined 





and assignments approved .. 


163 


137 


118 


29 

Number of pieces of Virginia 







military scrip issued. 


23 


61 





Number of agricultural patents 









issued.. 




71 131 


19 885 



Number of records of same .... 


51, .337 


71,131 


19 885 


V\)i 

907 

Number of patents transmitted. 


42, 629 


73 ; 172 


23 !957 


12 , 524 

Number of military bounty land 






warrants examined after lo- 









cation. 


245 


282 


270 



Number of circulars sent out.. 


946 


818 


672 


n / 

307 









The discrepancy between the number of letters received and the number of letters answered is ac¬ 
counted for by the fact that some of the letters received are of such a character that they do not require 
an answer. No account of the work pending on the first of the year is kept in this division nor at the 
close of the year. 




































































THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


201 


No account has been kept for any particular period of tbe character and amount 
of business transacted or labor performed by individual employes, because no record 
of this matter has been required, and in most cases would be wholly impracticable. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the recorder’s 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

36 

37 

36 

42 

42 

42 

45 

45 

46 

51 

53 

53 

1885. 

51 

50 

51 

52 

52 

52 

47 

41 

42 

40 

43 

45 

1886. 

47 

47 

35 

35 

33 

32 

32 

29 

29 

29 

30 

30 

1887 (to March 1). 

30 

30 

















. 



l 




No statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted 
and disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least dur¬ 
ing the periods specified, in the recorder’s division of the General Land Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior, can be given. No record of this kind has been kept, as it 
has never been required under office or departmental regulations. 

Tbe clerks in this division are fully employed at all times in transacting the busi¬ 
ness pertaining to the division. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employds in the recorder’s division of the General Land Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Year. 

Number of em¬ 
ployes. 

a ^ 

5 c3 

(T. 

O 

q; ^ 
pH 

Average num¬ 
ber of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number by 
proxy. 

' I 

Possible time, 
in days. 

a 

S 

•PH Ci 

9 If 
<1 

1884. 

44 

2.58 

7 

None . 

307 

49 

1885.:. 

47 

259 

7 

None 

301^ 

42i 

1886.. 

34 

267 

7 

None . 

305 

38 

1887 (to March 1) . 

30 

44 

■ 7 

None . 

48 

4 


The olficial day is from 9 to 4 (7 hours), 30 minutes, from 12 to 12.30, is allowed for 
lun ch, which is very generally’^ availed of by tbe employds. This would bring the 
average hours of attendance to not exceeding (5^ hours a day. 

The following statement shows the maximum numl^u' of days devoted to busi¬ 
ness by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minitnum 
number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of 
days in the recorder’s division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

AfQ-Yinmm .. .. 

285 

243 

2884 

213| 

D. h. m. 

304 3 30 
153 0 0 

D. h. m. 
47 3 30 
39 5 45 




The greatest time lost in 1884 was by a lady clerk, as follows: Annual leave, 29; 
sick, 35 ; total, 64 days; possible time, 307 days ; number of days present, 243. 

The greatest time'lost in 1885 was by a lady clerk, as follows: Annual leave, 35; 
sick, 53; total, 88 davs; possible time, 30H days; number of days present, 213|. 

The greatest time lost in 1886 was by Ji lady clerk, as follows: Annual leave, 30; 
sick, 30, and 92 days without pay; total, 152 days; possible time, 305 days; number 
of days present, 153. 


























































202 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


PUBLIC LANDS. 

lleport of the public lands division. General Land Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in public lands divis¬ 
ion of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

In this division, as soon as the public surveys are made, tract-books (containing 
about .500 pages each, or half that number of folios) are ojjened, the record of three 
sections of laud being kept on a folio, and therein are noted in pencil the legal sub¬ 
divisions established by the survey. These books become permanent records, and 
all entries, locations, selections, reservations, grants, &c., are entered therein in 
ink. Of these books about 3,500 have already been opened and are in constant use. 

It is the duty of this division to examine the greater portion of the entries, loca¬ 
tions, &c., made with regard to the regularity of the jiapers returned and the suffi¬ 
ciency of the proof submitted where proof is required; to see that errors are corrected, 
preparing the necessary correspondence for that purpose, and to approve claims of 
parties found to be entitled, or hold those of parties found not entitled for cancella¬ 
tion, as the case may be; and heretofore it was the duty of the division to examine 
and pass upon a multitude of contested cases, submit appeals therein to the appellate 
authority, communicate results to the proper local officers and to the parties inter¬ 
ested, and give the necessary instructions. 

In addition there is a great deal of miscellaneous business, such as the work neces¬ 
sary for disposing of abandoned reservations under special acts of Congress, for giv¬ 
ing effect to such acts in favor of private i)arties having rights to be adjusted with 
regard to public lands, and in the preparation of lists and proclamations for public 
sales, or for restoring to market lauds withdrawn for various causes. 

With the exception of the adjustment of swamp grants, this division has now in 
charge the consideration of the several grants of land to States and Territories, as well 
as the reservations in the Territories for school purposes, this branch of the work 
having been transferred from the pre-emption division September?, 1885. 

It devolves on this division to examine and pass upon the following classes of en¬ 
tries: 

Entries made at public sales. 

Private entries (entries of offered lands with cash, military warrants, agricultural 
college scrip, and jirivate land scrip). 

Original and final homestead entries. 

Commutations of homestead entries. 

Original and final timber-culture entries. 

Original and final desert-land entries. 

Entries under the timber and stone land act. 

Entries of saline lands. 

Locations with Valentine, Porterfield, and the different kinds of Indian scrip. 

State and Territorial selections 

Entries of lauds in California enhanced to the double minimum price of ^2.50 per 
acre, selected for agricultural colleges. 

Entries of lauds in Califoraia under the confirmatory act of March 1, 1377. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the public lauds 
division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, ineluding 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing in 
consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through 
whose hands the same passes, and b3^ whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by eacli, until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

A HOMESTEAD CASE. 


Statement showing the manner of proceeding in disposing of homestead cases in the General 

Land Office. 

Ralph C, Clare made homestead entry for SW. J of S. 20, T. SO N., R. 6 W., at the N'obrara, Nehr., 
laud district, August 27, 1878, and it was numbered 8817, that being the number following the last 
homestead entry made. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


203 


three flays fioiii rlie close of each nionlli the registers and receivers are required to make out 
Hiia traiisiint to the General Land Otiice a etatement of the business of their respective ollices for 
tue |)i ecedin^ snonth. ^ hfse reports are in the form of abstracts of pj e-enjption declarations and 
01 soldiers declarations hied ; abstracts of lauds sold; abstracts of homesteads entered ; abstracts 
ot Gmuer-culturo entries allowed ; abstracts of military bounty land warrants and of agricultural 
college scrip located, accompanied by the certificates of location thereof; also of all other forms 
1 location requiriu" separate returns. L'ames of parties are required to be clearly and 

legibly wiitten in these papers to correspond with the signature to every application. The ab¬ 
stracts aie ceitihcd by the register and receiver as correct and as in conlormity with the papers 
in the entries or locations embraced theiein, and with their records, which papers, abstracts, and 
records must agree with each other. 

The papers in the case ot Clare, consisting of his application for the land desciibed, to which is attached 
a certificate by the register showing that the laud is of the class which the applicant is legally 
entitled to enter under section 22S9, Itevised Statutes of the United States, and that there is no 
prior valid adverse light to tho same, and aftidavit required by la'w, also receiver's receipt for fee 
and couimissious due at date ot entry (all these papers aio made out on foims prescribed) where re- 
emved m this ollico September 13, 1878, with report for the month of August, 1878, from the local 
otneers at ^siobrara by mail. 

A duplicate ot tho receipt was given to the entry man at the time be made bis entry to show that he had 
paid the tee and commissions due at date ot entry, what land he had entered, under what law, and 
tho number of his entry. 

The letter of transmittal was given its jiroper number in the registering room and the date it was re¬ 
ceived in this oflico (it being briefed), and was then charged to and sent with the Niobrara leturns 
lor August, 1878, to the division of accounts (M). Division M, after having acted on the papers 
so tar as said division was concerned, sent them by a messenger on September 20, 1878, to the chief 
of the divisVm of public lands (C), retaining the letter of tt ansinittal and the receiver’s accounts. 
The chief ot division C then sent them by bis messenger to tbe projicr section in bis division for 
action. 

Clare s papers were taken up in the regular order of business by a clerk in the Nebraska section of 
division C, and were examined by bim to see that the name, number, and description agreed in 
all the papers, and that they were properly signed and certified to; then said clerk posted the entry 
of Clare on what is called a tract-book. 

A tract-book is a book containing certain sections, townships, and ranges in a given district, and is 
ruled and lieaded to show what part of the section, township, and range is entered, and under what 
law, the area, amount of fee paid, the name of the entiyman, the date of the entry, and the num¬ 
ber of the same, also a space to show what disposition is made of any particular entry. 

Clare’s papers, alter having been entered on the tract-book in its proper place by said clerk, were placed 
in the Niobrara hoiueste.ad files (after the volume and page weie uiaiked on the outside of the 
same). The papers in said files are kejd in numeiical order. 

On December 22, 1883, which was a little more than five years, and within seven years from date of 
entry, which was within the time required by law, Clare made final ju oofon bis bome.stend entry. 
No. 3817, and the same being satisfactory to the local land olficers at Niobrara, the receiver issued 
final receipt. No. 1979, December 22, 1883, to Ilalph C. Claie, showing that he jiaid the sum of $4, 
the balance of payment required by law, for his entry of S W. ^ of section 20, townshij) 30, of range 
C W., containing 160 acres, under section 2291 of tbe llevised IStatutes of tho United State.s, and a 
duplicate of the same was given to Clare. The register then issued final certificate No. 1979, same 
number as receiver’s final receipt, in which he certifies that, pursuant to tbe provisions of Sec¬ 
tion 2291, llevised Statutes of the United States, Kalph C. Claie has made payment in full 
for SW. J section No. 20, in township No. 30, of range No. 6 W., of the sixth piincipal me¬ 
ridian, Nebraska, containing 160 acres, and that on presentation of said certificate to the Com¬ 
missioner of the General Land Office the said Ralph C. Clare shall be entitled to a patent for the 
tract of land above described. These final papers were forwarded to this office by the local officers 
at Niobrara, in due time, in the same manner that the original papers were forwaided, and they 
went through the same channel until a clerk in division C took them up for examination; then 
said clerk withdrew from the Niobrara homestead files the original pajiers and referred to the vol¬ 
ume in which they were recorded, and opposite the same on the tract-book wrote in ink “Final 
certificate No, 1979, December 22, 1883.’’ The original papers were then placed with the final 
proof and examined by the clerk to see that the law had been complied with in every respect, and 
that all the papers were in due form and that there was no conflicting claim. 

It was discovered by the clerk examining the proof that .said final certificate No. 1979 conflicted with 
two pre-emption filings for the same land made in 1873 and 1874 respectively, -l he final certifi¬ 
cate was then i)laced on a docket kept for all Niobrara homestead final certificates. Said docket 
gives the number of the original entry and final certificate, and shows what disposition is made of 
the same. 

This case was marked suspended on the docket and the cause of suspension was marked on the cer¬ 
tificate by the clerk who examined the same; the clerk then wrote a letter to tho local officers at 
Niobrara, stating that the case was suspended, giving the cause, and instructed him to notify the 
pre-emptors that they would be allowed sixty days within which to show cause why their filings 
should not be canceled and the homestead entry completed, and that their failure to respond 
would be deemed a waiver of their alleged pre-emption rights. Said local officers were also in¬ 
structed to cancel thesefilings on their records if tho parties failed to respond within the required 
time. This letter was written in division C, dated February 8, 1884, by the clerk who ex¬ 
amined the case, and was signed by the Acting Commissioner. When it was mailed the final cer¬ 
tificate was tiled by said clerk in the Niobrara final homestead certificate files. These suspended 
cases are tiled in numerical order, where they remain until the cause of suspension is removed, 
or withdrawn for reference or otherwise. 

On March 5, 1886, the case in question was withdrawn from the suspended files by a clerk in the Ne¬ 
braska section of division C, as tho cau.se of suspension bad been removed, and on that day 
was approved for patenting by said clcik. Tho note on tho final home.stead docket “suspended ’’ 
was erased, and the case was charged by said clerk, March 8, 1880, to division B. A slip was 
then attached to the case giving the date it was sent to division B, and tbe name of tbe clerk 
sending the same, the name of the local office, and tho character of the case. The case was carried 
to division B, which is tho recorder’s division, by a messenger, where it remained for a short 
time .awaiting for the “ board of review ’’ to make file room for such cases. It was then sent by 
a messenger to the “board of review,’’ which is now called division O, for a re-examination 
of tho case as to the requirements of law. 

If the case in question was a cuirent one, and was regular in all respects, it would be .sent direct to 
division O, from division C, with a note on the same, over the clerk’s signature, recommending 
the case for patenting, accompanied by a slip showing the character and number of the entry and 
name of the ollice. 


204 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


This case was referred to division O, from division B, and noted upon a doclvet, then placed in the- 
pioper tiles, to be taken up when reached in its regulai' order. When reached it was caietully ex¬ 
amined by a clerk, wlio made a brief of the case, said brief showing value of improvements, date 
of entry, date of residence, date of proof, members of claimant’s family, character of residence 
maintained by claimant and family, number of acres broken, and number of seasons crops were 
raised. Upon said examination it was found that the law and the requirements ot this otiice had 
been complied with. This case and others similar in character were placed upon an abstract (said 
abstract showing all the points in said brief) and submitted to the chief of division O, who, upon 
examination, recommended the same for approval lor patent. The abstract was then ])resented to 
the law clerks, chief clerk, and assistant commissioner, who, upon examination, imlorsed their 
approval on the same, after which it was presented to the Commissioner for his approval. The 
abstract being approved by the Commissioner, it was returned to division O. The cases were 
charged on the division O docket as having bein approved for jiatent, and sent to Division B, 
February 4, 1887. On said dale the cases and abstract were sent to division B. 

This cei'titicate (No. 1997) was received in Division B February 4, 1887, and was entered on divis¬ 
ion B, abstract for patenting Febiuaiy 1(3, 1887. I( was then given to a clerk in division B 
to write the patent. The patent Ae as wriiten and handed over to a board consisting of two clerks, 
who examined it with the other papeis, ibund it<orieet,and then it was placed be (ore the President’s 
private secretary to sign land patents, who affixeil her signature thereto. It wras then placetl be¬ 
fore the recorder, who also affixed his signatui e under date of Fcbruaiy 23, 1887. A messenger 
then placed the official seal upon the same, and cairied the patent to a clerk who recqided it. It 
was then, in connection wuth the other ])apers, examined by a board consisting of three clerks, 
who, upon finding it to be correct, tinned it over to the transmission clerk, anil on February 28, 
1887, it was transmittid (the patent) to the local officers at Niobrara, Avho will deliver it to th© 
proper party on surrender of the duplicate receipt or an affidavit as to its loss. , 

The register is required to acknowledge receipt of the patent, and to forward duplicate final receipt, 
or such afiidavit, which wv.ll be placed on file. 

The proof and original papers in this case are filed with Niobrara, Neb., final certificate No. 1979, in 
clivision B. The certificates are filed in numerical order. 

Sample of contest \eork performed in the puhlic lands dirision of the General Land Office, 

■Washington, D. C., April 8,1887. 

Contest case of William Crosbyr*. C. C, Dali, involving lot4, SE. JSW. \ and W. J, sec. 30, tp. 4 S., B. 2 
E.,M. D. M., San Francisco, Cal., district. Saiu tracts having been entered by Dali under the 
homestead laws, as per homestead entry No. 4CG8, dated November 9, 1881, Crosby contests the 
entry on the ground that Dali has failed to meet the requiiements of the homestead law in the 
matter of residence and cultivation. 

September 29,1884, letter received at the General Land Oflice from theregister of the United States land 
office, San Francisco, Cal., dated September 19,1884, with the testimony in the case, the joint decis¬ 
ion of the register and receiver sustaining the homestead entry of Dali, and an appeal from their 
decision filed by Crosby. 

Letter registered, numbered, and referred to division of public lands. Letterregistered in said decis¬ 
ion and referred by chief of division to a fourth-class clerk in charge of California desk. 

Entry papers of Dali withdrawn from homestead-entry files, and filed with the record of contest. 

Case noted on contest docket, numbered, labeled, and ])laced on contest tiles. 

Becord of contest taken up in its regular order by clei k in charge of California desk. Decision written 
out by clerk sustaining the entry of Dali and submitted to chief of division. Decision examined 
and approA ed by chief of division; examined and approved by laiv clerk ; examined, appi-oved, 
and signed by acting commissioner, and returnetl to the clerk who prepared it. 

March 24, 1885, decision dated, press copied, recorded, and mailed to the register and receiver at San 
Francisco, who were instiucted to advise the parties in initerest ol the decision, and allow them 
sixty days to appeal therefrom to the honorable Secretary of the Interior. 

August 28, 1885, register’s letter received, dated August 18, 1885, transmitting appeal by Crosby from 
the decision of the Geneial Land Office, Avith the report that said aiipeal was filed iu his office May 
28, 1885, that time had been alloAved for arguments, but none had been filed in behalf of either party. 

Beceipt of appeal noted on contest docket, and appeal filed with record of coiite.st. 

September 16, 1885, copy of acting commis.sioner’s decision, dattd March 24, 1885, transm'fted Avith 
the appeal and othei papers in the case to the honorable Secretary of the Interior for his action, 
the date of transmittal noted on the docket, and the register and receiver advised. 

December 6,1886. The papers in the case roceiA’ed from the lionorable Secretary, with his decision, 
dated November 30,1886, reversing the decision of the General Land Office, and direct'.ng that 
Dali’s entry be cancelled. 

December 15, 1886. Homestead entry of Dali cancelled, in accordance with the instructions of the 
honorable Secretary, and a letter written to the register and leceiver inclosing a copy of the de¬ 
cision of the Dejiartment, instr ucting them to note the cancellation of the entry upon their records, 
and to advise tire parties in interest of the contents of the honorable Secretary’s decision. 

Cancellation of Dali’s entry noted upon contest docket, tract book, and docket of homestead entries. 
Entry papers of Dali returned to homestead entry files, and the record of contest placed in the 
special files. 

Case closed. 

December 30, 1886. John Mullan, attorney, Wa.shington, D. C., enters his appearance for Martha Dali, 
widow of C. C. Dali, deceased. 

Appearance noted on contest docket. 

December 30,1886. John Mullan files (tor transmittal to the honorable Secretary of the Interior) a mo¬ 
tion for review of the honorable Secretary’s decision, accompanied by his brief, the petition of 
Mrs. Dali, and his affidaA’it setting forth that he had mailed a copy of the motion to William 
Crosby by registered letter. 

January 8, 1887. Motion for l eview transmitted to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, and the ac¬ 
tion noted upon contest docket. 

February 19,1887. Letter received from the honorable Acting Secretary of the Interior, dated February 
15, 1887, denying the motion for review, and returning the papers’ transmitted with office letter of 
January 8, 1887; al.so transmitting for the tiles of the General Land Office the answer of William 
Crosby to the motion for review, received at the honorable Secretary’s office January 25. 1887. 

February 26, 1887. Letters Avrilten to the register and receiver atSaii Francisco, Cal., and to john Mul¬ 
lan, advising them of the decision of the honorable Acting,Secretary of the Interior, denying mo¬ 
tion lor review. Proper annotations made upon contest docket, and letters placed in tiles. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


205 


Sample of the work performed in the public lands division of the General Land Office in 

establishing netv land districis. 

August 7, 1887. Letter from chief clerk, Department of the Inteiior, dated August 7, 1886, inclosing 
act of Congress entitled “An act to establish a land office at Lamar, Colo.,” received in the 
registering room, briefed by clerk, and then given current number (84461). It was then entered 
on the index book, and turned over to another clerk, who entered it on the record of Departmental 
letters received; the letter was tnen carried by messenger to Division A (chief clerk’s), where 
it was entered on the division record by a copyist and referred to a corresponding clerk for action. 

August 10 1886. Notice (No. 905) in accordance with act of Congress ai)proved August 4, 1886, of the 
establishment of the Bent land district, written by a clerk m Division A, signed by the Commis¬ 
sioner, and then taken by messenger to the printing office, where 500 copies were printed for use 
of the General Land Gffice. 

August 12,1886. Inclosures in letter (84431) referred to above handed to chief public lands division 
C, for information and necessary action. 

August 17, 1886. Diagram of the Bent land district made by clerk in the division of drafting. Division L. 
and approved and initialed by the chief of that division, and then handed to clerk in charge of 
Colorado desk. Division C. 

August 18, 1886. Letter transmitting said diagram to the local officers at Pueblo, Colo , for informa¬ 
tion about their tract books, written by clerk in Division C, a])proved and initialed by the as¬ 
sistant chief of that division ; then taken by corresponding clerk to the law examiners, one of 
whom read, approved, and initialed the letter, which was then submitted to the assistant commis¬ 
sioner and signed by him. The letter was copied in Colorado press-copybook 21, page 73, and 
turned over to a copyist, who copied the letter in the Colorado letter recoid, vol. — page —, after 
which it was returned by messenger to the writer, who made the proper notes and mailed the let¬ 
ter. 

September 21, 1836. Letter to the local officers at Pueblo, Colo , directing them to coratdy with in¬ 
structions contained in former letter, written by corresponding clerk in Division C, read, approved, 
and initialed by chief and assistant chief in that division, then submitted to the law examiuers, one of 
whom read, approved, and initialed the letter, which was then given to a messenger, who stamped 
the Commissioner’s name to the same and returned it to the writer, who cojiied the same in Colo¬ 
rado press-copy book, vol. 21, page 217, and .sent the letter by messenger to the copyi.st; then it 
was copied in the Colorado letter record,'•and again returned, after being compared, to the writer, 
who made the proper notes and mailed the letter. 

November 9,1886. Telegram directing the Pueblo, Colo., officers to forward immediately diagram re¬ 
ferred to, written by clerk in Division C, approved and initialed by chief of that division, then 
submitted to the law critics oi' examiners, one of whom approved and initialed the same, and sub¬ 
mitted to the honorable Commissioner. That officer, having signed the telegram, it was press 
copied in the Division A telegram book and returned by messenger to the writer, who made a 
copy of the same for reference in Division C, and mailed the original. 

November 13, 1886. Letter from local officers at Pueblo, Colo., returning diagram with explanation, re¬ 
ceived in the registering room, and given current number (H'S478). It was then enteted on the 
index book by a clerk in said room, and also entered on the register of letters received, after which 
it was taken by messenger to the proper division, C. 

November 14, 1886. The letter above referred to (118478) was entered by the registering ch^rk of divis¬ 
ion C, on the register of letters received, vol. 63, page — and then carried by messenger to the 
clerk in charge of the Colorado desk, for his action. 

November 14 to 19, 1886. Three tract books containing 48 townships prepared by two clerks in division 
C, for the use of the Lamar land office, and examined by the clerks named with the assistance 
of another clerk. 

November 17, 1886. Letter directing the local officers at Pueblo, Colo., as to the action to be taken 
by them in regard to their plats and tract books, and ilirectiug that they close business at their 
office December 31, 1886, as to the land nowin the Bent district, written by clerk of Division C, 
submitted by him to the assistant chief of said division, who, after having read, approved, and 
initialed the same, submitted it by messenger to the law examiuers. 

November 18, 1886. Letter written 17th instant, having been approved and initialed by one of the law 
examiners, was given to a messenger, who stamped the Assistant Commissioner’s name to the b-tter 
and returned it to Division C, where, after being dated and press-copied, it was carried by mes¬ 
senger to the copyist, who copied the same in the Colorado letter record, an I returned the letter, 
after comparing it, by messenger to the writer. He in turn made the proper notes and mailed the 
letter. 

November 20, 1886. Letter giving instructions to the Lamar officers as to the manner of posting in the 
tract books, written by clerk of Division C, and, after being approved and initialctl by the chief 
of that division, was submitted to the law examiners, oneof whom approved and initialed the letter, 
which was then signed by the Acting Commissioner and returned to the writer. The tetter was 
then dated and press-copied ami carried by messenger to the copyist, who copied the same in the 
Colorado record of letters received, and, after comparing it, gave it to the messenger, who returned 
it to the writer; it was then mailed, after the proper notes had been made. 

December 13, 1886. Letter transmitting labels for the tract books, written by clerk in Division C, 
approved and initialed by the chief and assistant chief of said division and submitted to the law 
examiners, one of whom'approved and initialed the same. It was then signed by the Acting Com¬ 
missioner and returned to writer, who iiress-copied the same and sent it by messenger to the copy¬ 
ist. It was then recorded in the Colorado letter record and returned by messenger to the writer, 
who mailed the same after making the proper notes. 

December 28, 1886. Letter from acting chief clerk. Interior Department, dated December 27,1886, trans¬ 
mitting commissions of register and receiver of Lamar office, received in registering room, brieleil 
by clerk, and given current number (133572); entered by clerk on the index book and register of 
departmental letters received. It was then taken by messenger to the proper division (chief 
clerk’s) where it was entered on The division record by copyist and referred to a corresponding 
clerk for action. Two letters, one to the register and the other to the receiver, notifying them of 
their appointment and directing them to give suffleent bonds, written by clerk in Division A (chief 
clerk’s), approved and initialed hy the receiving clerk of said division, and signed by Commis¬ 
sioner. ’ The letters were then press-copied by messenger and returned to the writer, who, alter 
making the proper notes, mailed the letters. 

January 3, 1887. Office at Lamar opened for business. 


206 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Statement showing various steps taken in connection with the restoration to the pub¬ 
lic domain of an abandoned military reservation, and a portion of the miscellane¬ 
ous correspondence growing out of the same. 

Fort Dodge Military lieservation in Kansas. 

This reservation, located in Townships 25, 26, and 27 south of the base line and Kanges 23, 24, and 25 
west of the sixth principal meridian, containing nearly 68 square miles, or about 43,461 acres, was 
established by Executive order of Juue 22,1868, and existed intact as a military reservation until 
December 15, 1880, wdien it was very materially reduced by an act of Congress of that elate (21 
Stats, 311), it having been found that a large portion of the reservation was no longer needed lor 
military pur-poses. . . , . 

The said act authorized the Secretary of the Interior to have that portion of the reservation lying 
north of the land owned and occupied by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 Itailroad Company, 
surveyed, sectionized, and subdivided as other public lauds, and otfered to actual settlers under 
the provisions of the homestead laws, reserving to the said railroad company the r ight to xrur- 
chasesuch irortion thereof as it might need for its use, adjoining the land then owned by the corn- 
irauy, not exceeding 160 acres, by paying therefor the price at which the same might be appraised 
by the Secretary of the Interior. 

Subsequently this office employed one F. Singer’, under contract dated April 9, 1881, to survey these 
lauds, who commcrrced the work Juue 22, and conqileted the same July 11, 1881, and made due r e¬ 
turn thereof, transmitting his held notes of survey, &c. The surveys, after being exaiuiued and 
platted, were axrproved September 17,1881. 

September 24, 1881. Letter E, addressed to.register and receiver. Lamed, Kans., transmitting plats 
referred to above, and advi.sing them that said lauds were to be disposed of to homestead settlers, 
as provided by the act of December 15, 1880. 

Letter of February 1, 1881, numbered 7744, received from Hon. P. E. Plumb, inclosing a letter dated 
January 21, 1881, addressed to him by W. B. Strong, vice-president and general inanager of At¬ 
chison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company, 'with maps and a desciiption of tlie lands de¬ 
sired by said comxiauy adjoining the Dodge City and Ridgeway Stations in Fort Dodge Military 
Reservation; also a copy of act of Congress of December 15, 1880, under w'hich the company 
claimed the right to purchase. Senator Plumb stated in his letter of transmittal that as the com- 
jiany wished lo jiroceed at once to erect improvements on the grounds, they asked permission to 
purchase, and therefore it was desirable that the lands should be surveyed and appraised at an 
early date. 

February 3, 1881. Letter E, aildressed to Senator Plumb, in reply to above, returning the papers 
(copies thereof being retained in this office) and expressing the opinion that the selections must 
be made of lands wholly on the north side of the railroad, the selections as made by the company 
embracing lands on biith sides of the road. 

Upon application of Messrs. Britton Gray, attorneys for said comitauy, the matter was recon¬ 
sidered,‘ami it was decided that selections might be made of lauds on either side of the road, but 
adjacent to it. 

February 11,1881, Senator Plumb and Messrs. Britton and Gray were advised of above decision by let¬ 
ters “ E,” and their attention was also called to the fact tliat a part of one of the selecdons indi¬ 
cated by the company tell within the limits of a school section (36), and the company w'as ali'orded 
opportunity to make another selection in lieu thereof. 

February 28, 1881, Thomas J. Seely, engineer and surveyor, also superintendent of construction of 
Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 Railroad Company, offered to undertake the survey of the lauds 
selected by the comxiany, the expenses thereof to be borne by the company. 

March 9, 1881, Mr. Seely was informed by letter “ E ” of the acceptance of his offer, and that proper 
instructions for the survey of the selected lands would be given him as soon as the company should 
indicate their selection of a tract in lieu of the one falling in section 36, Vice President Strong 
having been advised to that effect on the previous day, March 8, 1881, by a telegram. 

Subsequently Messrs. Britton and Gray urged the immediate issuance of instructions, and accord¬ 
ingly, March 19, 1881, by letter “E,'’ Mr, Seely was directed to proceed to make such surveys of 
lands as had been or might be selected by the comiiany, with the proviso that no lands should be 
included within the limits of section 36. 

In pursuance of foregoing instructions Mr. Seely surveyed the lands as directed, April 19, 1881, and 
made due return thereof by letter of April 29,1881, numbered 309J3, transmitting his field notes of 
survey with maps, <fcc. After being examined and platted the surveys were aiiproved June 22,^ 
1881. 

August 4,1881, letter “E ” addres.sed to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, advising him of the 
above survey and suggesting that the appraisal of the tracts as selected and surveyed be ordered 
at an early day. 

Letter dated August 5,1881, numbered 51287, received from honorable Secretary of the Interior in reply 
to above letter, designating the district officers at Lamed to appraise the lands under instructions 
from this office, and directing us to report their action to the Department for approval, with such 
recommendations as might seem proper. 

August 5, 1881, letter “E ” addressed to the district ollicers at Lamed, transmitting plats, field notes, 
&c., and advising said officers of their designation by the Secretary of the Interior to appraise 
the lands selected and surveyed for the use of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 Railroad Com¬ 
pany. 

Letter dated October 24, 1881, numbered 70130, received from register aud receiver at Lamed, .for¬ 
warding a report of their appraisement and returning the plats aud field notes of survey. 

November 5, 1881, letter “E” written to district officers at Larned, retransmitting above plats to be 
retained at their office, and official copies thereof were forwarded to State Register at Topeka, 
Kans., by letter “ E ” of same date. 

Kovember 14, 1881, letter “E ” addressed to honorable Secretary of the Intelior, in reply to Depart¬ 
ment letter of August 5, 1881, inclosing report of appraisal by district officers, with a copy of our 
letter of instructions to them of August 5, 1881. 

Letter of December 12, 1881, numbered 84070, received from honorable Secretary of Interior, return¬ 
ing papers sent in above letter and requesting this office to make a distinct recommendation ott 
the subject 

December 28, 1881, letter" E.” to honorable Secretary of Interior, in replay to above, recommending 
that the report of appraisal by the district officers at Lamed be accepted, giving reasons thereto^ 

Letter of December 29, 1881, numbered 84495, received from honorable Secretary of the Interior re 
turning approved the appraisal of said lands. ’ 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


207 


January 13, 1882, lettnr “C ” addressed to district officers at Lamed, directing them to notify the 
proper officers ot the railroad company of their right to purchase the lands selected and surveyed 
lor depot and station purposes. 

Letter ot iebruary 21, lb82. numbered l.'i292, received from honorable Comiuissioner of Indian Affairs, 
asking what entries and tilings had been allowed under the act of December 15, 1880, on that por- 
tion ot the hort Dodge military reservation tailing wilhiu the limits of the Osage Indian trustand 
lands; also what action had been taken by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 
I’e Itailroad Company and by this office with reterence to land allowed to be purchased by said 
company under the act retel l ed to. 

March 4, lo82, letter ‘ G addressed to district officers at Lamed, calling on them for a report showin"" 
what entries and tilings had been allowed, as above requested. " 

Letter dated March 25,1882, uumbei'ed 25958, received from register at Lamed in reply to above, re¬ 
porting that one homestead entry by Daniel M Frost had'beeu allowed, and that the Atchison, 
xojieka and Santa re Railroad Compauy had purchased and paid for the laud selected for depot 
purposes near Dodge City, per cash entry 705, made February 18,1882. 

Apiil 1, 1882, letter “ O writien to hoDorable Coiuiuisssiouer of ludiau Aliairs, inclosincc copy of 
above report. ^ u 

April 3, 1882, letter “O ’ addressed to honorable Commissioner of Indian Affairs, containing addi¬ 
tional luforinatiou to that given in above letter. 


Act of Julv 5,1884 (23 Stats., 103), lor the disposal of abandoned and useless military reservations, pro¬ 
vided that such reservations shall bo jilaced under control of the Secretary of the Interior to be 
surveyed, appraised, aud sold at public sale, after due ad\ertisemeut, lor cash, to the highest bid¬ 
der at not less than the appraised value, nor less thau $1.25 iier acre. 

Under Piesideutial order of January 12,1885, the residue of Fort Dodge military reservation, contain¬ 
ing about 12,900 acres, was turned over to this Department for appraisal aud sale, as provided in 
act above referred to. 

Letter dated Jauuaiy 14, 1885, numbered 5573, received from honorable Secretary of War, transmit¬ 
ting Ex ccutive order of January 12, 1885, above rcfei ied lo. 

Letter dated September 22, 1885, numbered 90797, received from Hon. F. M. Cockrell, calling atten¬ 
tion to the fact that pursuant to the act of July 5, 1884, the reservation had been placed under 
control ot tJie luterior Department, and asking if it could be sold, also if oue Wright was still the 
custodian. 

September 27, 1885, letter “C” written to Kou. F. M. Cockrell in I’eply to above, advising him that the 
lands had not yet been appraised aud therefore were not subject to entry or disposal; also that Mr, 
Wright was still the custodian of the reservation. 

Letter of Juuu2tj, Ibeli, numbeied (19883, received from lion. John J. Ingalls, asking if settlements 
could be lawfully made upon lauds within the present limits of Fort Dodge military icservatiou. 

It was found, upon examination, that only a small portion (about 1.200 acres) of the residue of the res¬ 
ervation turned over to the Department by Fro.sidential order of January 12, 188.3, was iniblic 
land, the remaiuder being U.sago Indian trust lauds, provisio is for tho ihsposiiioii of which, by 
sale to actual settlers for cash only at $1.25 per acre, were mad by tiie second and toiirih articles 
of the treaty of September 29, IhOo, with the Great aud Little Osa,go Indians (14 Stats., 688), which 
provisions were re-enacted by Congre,ss May 28, 1880 (21 Stats., 143;. 

July 9, 1886, two letteis “C " iiere addiessed to the district officers at Garden City, Kaus. (a new 
laud district havlug been created which embraced the lands wiihin the Fort Dodge military res¬ 
ervation), directing them to allow entries of the Osage trust lauds within the said military reser¬ 
vation, as provided by the act of May 28, 1880, above referred to. with the exception, however, of 
tracts upon wliich buildings erected by the Government for military iiiirposes were located, which 
they weie instructed to ascertaiu and report to this office, so that proper steps could be takeu for 
the appraisal aud sale of such buildings before ilisposiag of the tracts of laud which they occu¬ 
pied. 

July 9, 1886, letter “C,” to Hon. Jno. J. Ingalls, in reply to his of June 26, 1886, inclosing copies of the 
two letters to the district officers at Garden City of same date above leferred to. 

Letter of July 22,1886, 80789, received from L. E. McGarry, of Dodge City, Kaus., stating that the 
1,200 acres of public laudwithiu the reservation were occupied by nine settlers, who for some time 
had been improviug the same for homes under the impression that they would bo opened for set¬ 
tlement as other portions of the reservation, and asking if there was not some way by which said 
settlers could be allowed to outer the land under oue of the public laud laws. 

Letter ot August 17, 1886, 88913, received from district officers at Garden City, iu reply to letter “C ” 
of July 9, 1886, containing loport called for. 

Letter dated August 18, 1886, 89952, received from Hou. S. R. Peters, inclosing one addressed to him 
by D. M. Frost, of Dodge City, Kans., dated July 31, 1886, relative to the appraisal and sale of that 
portion of Fort Dodge military reservatiou outside of the Osage trust laud.s, aod suggestiug that 
tbe matter be given the greatest publicity possible. 

Aug. 27.1886, lottei C, to district officers at GardeuCity, directing them to ascertain and report whether 
any homestead settlers were occuiiying the public lauds in the reservatiou whose settlements ex¬ 
isted prior to January 1,1884, and, if so, to give the names of tbe parties with a description of tho 
tracts so occupied. 

August 27,1886, letter C, to lion. S. R. Peters, in reply to his of August 18,1886, stating that due notice 
would be given of the sale, which would be by public outcry, affording ample opportunity for com¬ 
petition ; also advising him of the instrnctions to the register and receiver at Garden City by letter 
of even date. 

September 2,1886, letter C, to L. E. McGarry, in reply to his of July 22,1886, informing him of the ac¬ 
tion of this olhee by letter C, of August 27,1886, to the district officers at Garden City. 

Letter of August 18.1886, 90085, received from Benjamin F. Miller, of Dodge City, Kaus., relative to 
the grant of laud to the Atchisou, Topeka and Sauta Fb Railroad Company, under the act of De¬ 
cember 15,1880, urging that a suit be brought againstthe said company to vacate the patent issued 
to them, holding that the cash entry made by tlie company February 18,1882, was void, because a 
portion of tho laud embraced iu the purchase was south of the rigbt of way of said road, aud there¬ 
fore not subject to entry under said act; and further, that the eutire tract was within the limits of 
the Osage Indiau trust lauds, which by treaty stipulations and laws passed in pursuance thereof, 
prior to the passage of said act of December 15,1880, were to be sold to actual settlers for the beuo- 
lit of the Osage Indians. 


208 


THE DEPARTxMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Sept. 7, 1886, letter “C.” to Benj. F. Miller, in reply to above, declininff to recommend such suit. 
Letter dated Sept. 3, 1886, 96491, received from Geo. AV. Stilt, of Dodf?e City, Kans.. stating that be 
is a settler on that portion of the Fort‘Dodge military reservation outside of the Osage Indian 
trust lands, and ashing for information relative to his rights in the premises. 

Sept. 20, 1886, letter “C,” to Geo. W. Stitt, of Dodge City, Kans., in reply to above, informing him ot 
the action of this office in the matter by letter “C ” of Aug. 27,1886, to the district officers at Gar¬ 
den City. 

Letter dated Oct. 20, 1886, 11706. received from register and receiver Garden City, in reply to ours 
of Aug. 27, 1886, reporting that no homestead settlers were found who were occupying public lands 
in the reservation on the 1st of January, 1884. 

Letter of January 20, 1887, 1881. received from Hon. H. L. Muldrow, Acting Secretary ofthe Interior, 
relative to the appraisal, survey, and sale of abandoned military reservations as provided b.v act of 
July 5, 1884, containing a list of such re.servatious turned over to this Department, directimr this 
office to have the same surveyed and platted, and calling for a separate report in case of each les- 
ervation. 

February 14, 1887, letter “C,” to honorable Secretary of the Interior, reporting, in case of Fort Dodge 
military reservation, that the public lands in the reservation wcte the only lands subject to ap¬ 
praisal and sale under the act of July 5, 1884, and that as the same had been surveyed and platted, 
no objection was huow'n to exist to llie early aiipoiutment of appraiseis, and tha upon our being ad¬ 
vised of their appointment they would bo furnished with copies of the plats of survey' and proper 
instructions for their information and guidance ; also that they would be directed to ascertain and 
report the value of the buildings erected by the Government for military' purposes on the Osage 
Imlian lands, iirovided such course met the ajiproval ofthe Department. 

Letter dated March 21, 1887, 3J816, leecived from II. J. Hochderllor, of Dodge City, Kans.. relative to 
the triangular ])iece of land in Fort Dodge military reservation south of Atchison. Topeka and 
Santa F6 llailroad Company, and north of the Osage Indian land, containing about 1,200 acres, 
slating that he has settled upon same and thinks it unjust to the iioor man to have the land sold, 
as the land on the other side of road was opened to homestead entry', and asking for detinite in¬ 
formation on the subject; if to be sold, w'hy, how, when, and on what teims. 

April 2, 1887, letter “ C.” to II. J. llochderller, in reply to above, advising him of the requirements of 
the act of July 5,1884. also that the lands had not yet been appraised, but that the matter was nn''er 
cousuleratiou by the Department, and that proper instructions for the apiiraisal and sale would be 
given in due course of time. 

Letter dated Feb. 25, 1887—23456, received from Geo. W. Barloxy, of Dodge City, Kansas, stating that 
ho is a settler on a tract of O.sage Indian land within the Fort Dodge Military lieservatiou, which 
has been patented to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa F6 11. 11. Co., and asking if it will be pos¬ 
sible for him to have said patent sot aside, and, if so, how shall he proceed. 

April 20. 1887, letter ‘ C” to Geo. AV. barlow, in reply to above, inclosing copy of letter “C ” of Sept. 

7, 1886, addressed to Benj. F. Miller, of Dodge City, Kansas, on same .subject. 

This office has not been officially advised of any action taken by the Department relative to the ap¬ 
pointment of appraisers as suggested in our letter “C” of Feby. 14, 1887, and there the mutter 
rests at the pre.sent time. 

numerous other letters have been received and written, notably in case of the homestead entry of 
Dani( 1 M. Frost ou a tract of Osage Indian laud withiu the reservation, under the act of Dec! 15, 
1880, referred to on page 6 hereof, which case has involved a vast amount of correspondence (and 
is still pending before the Department), but which, for obvious reasons, has not been carried into 
this statement. 

State-selection de-^lc, diriswn of public lands, Gtneral Land Office. 

Statement in detail, showing the manner of receiving and passing upon lists of selec¬ 
tions of laud under the various Congressional grants to States for educational and 
internal improvement purposes. 

The lists of selections are sent up by the district officers, either in their rejiular re¬ 
turns of filings and entries or by special letter. * 

Should the list be received with the returns the division of accounts examines as to 
whether the legal fees have been paid or accounted for, and sends the list to the clerk 
in charge of such selections in the division of public lands; should they be received 
by special letter they are, after being recordeil as letters by the recorJing clerks of 
letters received in division A, referred direct to the public hinds division, recorded in 
the records of letters received in the latter division, referred to the clerk in charge of 
the State-selection desk, and recorded a third time in the recoi-ds of this section,'and 
the division of accounts is then informed of the receipt of (he lists by letter, instead 
of ill the returns, so that it may be observed whether the lees have been accounted 
for. 

The posting clerks of the division, to whom the lists are referred to be made of 
record in the tract-books, are required to post the selections therein, in order of busi¬ 
ness with other returns, and note all conflicts between the same and tiliiio-g, entries 
selections, resery'’atious, and grants, should said conflicts exist, and proper references 
on the lists to the tract-books in which the selections are posted. 

The lists are next examined by the clerks of the State-selection desk with refer- 
mice to conflicts, as to areas, as to whether the tracts selected are subject to selec¬ 
tion, in respect to whether the same are selected in bodies of the proper size under the 
grant, and in regard to whether the selections are in excess ofthe quantity o-rauted. 
In school indemnity selections, in addition to such examinations, thorough examina¬ 
tions must be niacle as to the losses of school lands, or deflciencies therein, upon 
which the selections are based. Such examinations are very difficult, and frequently 
involve the gravest legal questions. ^ ^ 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


209 


DecisioDs as to tbe State selections, or the above-mentioned losses or deficiencies, 
are made by letter to district officers and others. When the case is appealable, appeal 
is allowed to the Secretary of the Interior and the case closed under the rules of 
practice in laud cases of the Department. The letters are examined by the clerk in 
charge of the section, the clerk in charj;e of the division or his assistant, or both, and 
the law examiners or law clerks of the office, and are properly initialed by the clerks, 
if approved by them for signature. 

Selections deemed proper ones for approval are certified by the clerks entrusted 
with their examination, as correct, in a list prepared for the approval of the Commis¬ 
sioner and Secretary, and upon the approval of the list by the Commissioner it is for¬ 
warded to the Secretary by letter. Upon approval of the list by the Secretary and 
receipt thereof at this office, a certified transcript of it is prepared and transmitted 
by letter to the governor of the State, and a copy thereof, not certified, is made, com¬ 
pared with the original, and sent to the proper district laud office in order that the 
approval may be duly noted. The approval is also noted on the records here, and a 
record of the quantity embraced in the list is charged up against the quantity which 
the State is entitled to under each grant, except that in cases of school indemnity 
the grant is adjusted by townships, the tract-books being the proper records on which 
to debit the State with the quantities selected. 

Lists approved in this manner have the efiect of divesting the Government of its 
title to the lauds (have the effect of patents), except in passing upon selections under 
grants providing for the issue of patents or the approval of the President to pass the 
title, in which the certification and approval of selections are preliminary to the issue 
of patent, or the approval of the President, as the case may be. 

The following statement show^the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of, during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the public lands division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior: 

Average amount transacted during eacli month of the fiscal years 1884, 1885, 1886, and eight months 

fro.n July 1, 1886, to March 1,1887.) 


Character of business. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

July 1,1886, 
to March 

1,1887. 

illVIsiOD ____ 

Number. 
27,265. 00^ 
340.81^ 
2, 508. 00| 
31. 36 

Number. 
33,249.00i\ 
330. 57i 
2, 679. 00)1 
26. 641®' 

Number. 
27,159. OOi 
2 y2 033 

2, 664. 00} > 

Num ber. 
27,075. 004 
301.67§ 
2, 749. OOi 
30. 63^ 

* 

1. 598. 00 

liy r.lpd’lf _____ 

TjCtt^ri® xho ilivision____ 

olorV.... 

28.65|' 

1, 762. OOi 

Pages of record covered by letters written by the 
division _______.......... 

1 , 685. on| 

1, 704. 00| 

Kecord pages of letters recorded by each clerk. 

21. 07 

16. 95 

18.94}‘ 

17. 80)e 


It is impracticable to state the exact amount of business transacted each calendar 
month, and theretore it is approximately stated by dividing the total amount of tvork 
l)erformed during the periods above mentioned by the number of months in each 
period. The different classes of work are divided among all the clerks in the above 
statement. 

The apparent falling off in the average of work performed by each clerk since 1884 
is accounted for by the careful examination of entries and proofs recently insisted 
upon. 

The above statement does not include the testimony examined, the extended ex¬ 
aminations required in numerous cases, the filing of letters and other documents, the 
copying of old tract-books, and the posting of plats, because it is found impracticable 
to ii elude these items therein. 

4402 INT-X4 





















210 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Tbe following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of, 
at the dates specified below, in the public lauds division of the General Land Office, 
Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Pending July 

1,1883.* 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1884. 

Disposed of 

in 1884. 

's 

►^+-. 

Woo 

a 00 

.2 

P 

Ph 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

1 

Disposed of 

in 1885. 

% 

T. Af.f AT.«I .. 


45,810 

t30,105 


50, 721 

t32,159 



20, 230 



20.458 

"RnfriAQ antfl filinoT.ia __ ___ 


|286, 812 

§32?; 186 


+241,524 

§398, 993 






Character of business. 


Woo 

a °o 

.2 rH 

<S 


s 

® 00 

.t w 
a 
o 


CP 00 

a.s 


woo 
a 00 


a CO 00 

O QO 00 

00 r-. 
'<-11 -( - 

a 


O fl -00 

X a o 00 


WW 

a 00 

I-I 

-T 
a ^ 

pH 


Letters. 

Pages of record covered by letters writ¬ 
ten . 

Entries and filings.. 


51, 860 


+249, 808 


t31, 979 

#,148 
§325, 914 


32,147 21, 996 

. 12,784 

+144, 952 §216, 604 


* Not known. 

t This represents the number of the letters written in the division in answer to letters, and in respect 
to entries and subjects of various kinds coming before it for action. Many of the letters received do 
not require answer. 

t The area covered by these entries and filings has not been computed. 

§The exact number of filings and entries posted is not known. This total shows the postings and 
annotations of all kinds made on the tract-book. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the public lauds 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified • 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

84 

83 

83 

77 

76 

77 

90 

101 

102 

100 

99 

100 

1885. 

102 

101 

104 

103 

103 

102 

101 

97 

96 

96 

94 

92 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 

92 

87 

92 

91 

91 

88 

89 

88 

88 

92 

92 

92 

90 

86 













This is a general average. 


Upon careful consideration I have concluded that it is impossible to state “ the maxi¬ 
mum and minimum amount of business transacted and disposed of by the employ^ 
doing the most and the employ<5 doing the least,” during the period from January 1,1884, 
to March 1, 1887, in the division of public lands. General Laud Office. It" is true 
that during said period the clerks reported each week the number of entries posted, 
and letters written, and the copying by pages, but a very large amount of the miscel¬ 
laneous work was not reported, and no one not acquainted with the exact character of 
the posting and correspondence could form an idea of the relative industry and capa¬ 
bility of the clerks from the reports made. Some of the land districts require many 
tract books ; other districts are so small that few books are required ; yet usually the 
small districts are of the best lauds, and in certain of them the business is large and 
the posting comparatively easy. One hundred entries in certain districts may be 
posted in a day ; the posting of twenty entries in other districts is a good day’s work. 
Where many entries are being made the descriptions of lands are usually short; that 
is, only one or two subdivisions may be described, whereas, in the arid regions the 
descriptions are usually lengthy, because it is necessary in ord er to obtain good land 
to take tracts in difierent quarter-sections, or sections, or even townships. What is 
true in respect to the posting is true in regard to decisions and correspondence. A 
contested case may have a few pages, and it may have thousands of p ages of testi¬ 
mony, arguments, and es^hibits. Nun^erous inquiries qre qqswered tp a fpw lines, 









































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


211 


while certain of the (Questions presented for decision recpiire weeks of preparation and 
writing. No account has been kept of the pages of testimony examined and the 
pages of letters and decisions written by each clerk. 

This reasoning applies to the character of the work as well as its quantity. A 
lengthy letter may require very little i)reparatiou ; a short one may necessitate ex¬ 
tended examinations and considerable brain work. 

This division is very large and many changes have been made in the personnel of 
the clerical force during the period comprehended in this report. The special service 
division and the now board of review have obtained some of the most valuable clerks 
of the division, and recently a contest division has been formed largely from its force. 
The difficulty of rating clerks according to industry and fitness must, under the cir¬ 
cumstances, be apparent. I could not to-day fix upon the clerk who has done the 
most or point out the clerk who has done the least work. I can, however, say truth¬ 
fully, that none of the clerks in the higher grades in the division are lacking in in¬ 
dustry, and while as to their relative ability in their respective grades there may 
be a difierence of opinion, all of them are competent to perform the duties to which 
they are assigned. The copyists are industrious, the amount of work performed by 
them depending uj)on their health, rapidity of penmanship, and the character of the 
copying. 

In ^his connection I would state that the organization of the board of review 
(division O) and the new contest division has systematized the work of the Bureau. 
From the foregoing statement it will be observed that,, although the division is re¬ 
lieved of the final examination of entries for patenting and of the contested cases, 
it has to deal with a greater variety of subjects than any other division in the Bureau. 
It has also more laws to execute and more statutory provisions in general nature un¬ 
like to construe. 

There is no question that the board of review passes upon that is not first passed 
upon here, nor is there a question involved in contested homestead, timber culture, 
timber land, and desert laud cases that does not arise in the ex parte cases of this 
division, except possibly certain questions connected with the rules of practice. In 
passing upon the grants to States and Territories for educational and internal im¬ 
provement purposes almost every question connected with the laud system of the 
Government arises. The vexed (questions connected with them have given rise to 
numerous decisions of the Department, the Attorney-General, and the courts, some 
of them apparently irreconcilable, and although this branch of the work forms merely 
a section of this division, probable no division of the Executive Departments per¬ 
forms work comprehending more legal questions. In this section the contests are re¬ 
tained, following the rule adopted in the office that the questions connected with 
Congressional grants are more difficult of solution than those pertaining to the claims 
of settlers. But while the division is scarcely relieved of the consideration of any 
legal question by the formation of the board of review and the contest division, it 
has been relieved Of cases calculated to divert the attentii^jj of clerks already over¬ 
burdened with work, and, so far as the consolidation of certain branches of work 
tends to system and harmony in rulings, the division has been benefited by the 
change. 

Until recently it appears that the clerks of the division were not required to make 
reports in detail of all the items of business transacted. They were required to make 
reports of work, but it seems to have been the understanding that merely the i^riuci- 
pal items thereof need be stated. It was not usual to report the time consumed in 
making examinations or reading testimony. In many cases it is impracticable to 
keep account of all the work done, or classify it, but under the present system such 
reports are required as will serve to show to those acquainted w ith the character of 
the work performed by each clerk whether he or she is industrious and capable. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods spec¬ 
ified, by the employds in the public lands division of the General Land Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Year. 

No. of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
No. of days 
jiresent. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily.* 

No. by^ proxy. 

No. of work¬ 
ing days. 

Average 
No. of days 
absent. 

18«4 

88 

272f 

7 

None. 

307 

34^ 


98 

270f 

7 

None. 

30G 

31A 

1880 

89 

27Gf 

7 

None. 

305 

28^ 

1887 (to Mar. 1) . 

89 

4rq 

7 

None. 

48 

2 ? 

4 


* The official day is from 9 a. m. to 4 p. in., but 30 minutes is allowed at noon for lunch, making the 
gverage hours of attendance not exceeding G| hours. 



























212 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number ot days 
in the public lands division of the General Laud Office, Department of the luterioi, 
during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of clays.. 

TVI inimnni of flays___........... 

291M 

206f 

300J 

223f 

293f 

232 

*48 

t7i 





* Twenty-eight clerks were on duty forty-eight days in January and February, 1887, the entire nuni' 
her of working days. 

t The absence of this clerk was enforced by sickness. 

Chaeactek of business. —Correspondence, posting, and copying. 


4 


PRIVATE LAND CLAIMS DIVISION. 

Beiiort of the private land claims division, General Land Office, on the methods of business 

and worJc, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department mrcular 

of March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the jirivate laud 
claims division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

The adjustment of private land claims, a class of titles situate in different sections 
of the country now constituting a part of the Union, having their origin under the 
Governments preceding the United States in sovereignty. These cases may be classi¬ 
fied principally as follows, viz: 

Claims in the former Northwestern Territory, arising under the definitive treaty of 
September 3, 1783, with Great Britain ; also British grants in West Florida and iior- 
tions of the present States of Alabama and Mississippi. 

Claims arising under the treaty with France of April 30, 1803, for the purchase of 
the Province of Louisiana. 

Claims arising under the treaty with Spain of February 22, 1819, for the Provinces 
of East and West Florida. 

Claims arising under the treaty with Mexico, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, 
February 2, 1848, and un^er the ‘^Gadsden purchase’’ of December 30, 1853. (The 
important claims involving large areas of laud in California, New Mexico, Arizona, 
and Colorado, which have been, or remain to be, adjudicated, belong to this class.) 

New Madrid locations, in the former Missouri Territory, adjusted under the act ap¬ 
proved February 17, 1815, and existing regulations. 

Claims in the States of Florida, Louisiana, and Missouri examined and reported to 
Congress under the act of June 22, 1860, and supplemental legislation. 

Claims in California arising under the seventh section of the act approved July 23, 
1866. 

Donation claims in Oregon and Washington Territory (formerly Oregon Territory) 
under the act of September 27, 1850, and supplemental legislati, n. 

Donation claims in New Mexico Territory under the act of July C2, 1854. 

Donation claims in Arizona Territory under the act of February 5, lo75. 

Patents are issued and recorded in this division in all claims of the above classifi¬ 
cation which become final and are patentable under the law. 

Patents are also issued and recorded in this division for all Indian lauds, whether 
for reservations, tribal patents, or allotments of land in severalty. 

Indemnity scrip of the following classes, for laud lost in place, is issued through 
this division: 

Scrip decreed by the courts under the eleventh section of the “Mis ouri act,” ap¬ 
proved May 26, 1824, the provisions of which were extended to the State of Florida 
by the act of May 23, 1828. 

Scrip decreed by the United States Supreme Court in cases there finally determined 
under the act of June 22, 1860, and supplemental legislation. 

Surveyor-general’s scrip issued under the third section of the act approved .Tune 2, 
1858. ’ 

Scrip issued under special acts of Congress. 

The exafninatiou of assignments and approval of locations made with scrip. 

Preparation of certified copies of patents or whatoyer is pn file ot of tccrcl in the 
division under section 461, Revised Statutes, 

Miscellaneous correspondence, 
















THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


213 


siioWin*; in detail the methods of transacting business in the private land 
claims division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, in¬ 
cluding one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said 
division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then 
showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered a nd acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

One principal item of business in the private lands division of the General Land 
Office is the adjudication and patenting of Mexican claims in California. 

These claims had their origin under Mexican laws, prior to the acquisition of Cali¬ 
fornia by the United States, and are protected by the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. 

They come to the General Land Office upon the records of continued and various 
methods of procedure by the original Government, the board of land commissioners 
for the State of California, the district and Supreme Courts of the Uiiited States, and 
the United States surveyor-general of the State, as provided by act of Congress of 
March 3, 1851. 

The duties of the surveyor-general pertain to the proper survey and segregation of 
the claim from the public domain in accordance with the decree upon title by the 
board, or the appellate jurisdiction in the courts aforesaid. 

When the claim has been finally confirmed and surveyed it is the duty of the 
surveyor-general to forward to the General Land Office a transcript of the judicial 
proceedings in the case, with his duly certified and approved plat and descriptive 
notes of the claim, as a basis for patent. 

Under the supervisory power of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, the 
several acts of the surveyor-general are carefully and critically examined and ajj- 
proved, or disapproved, as the case may be. 

Frequently, from the peculiar phraseology of the decree of confirmation, it is most 
difficult to arrive at its proper interpretation. 

Generally it refers, for a more particular description of the claim, to the original 
grant or juridical possession, or crude Mexican map, or diseuo, which are made a part 
of the transcript of the case ; and this necessitates an examination of the claim from 
its inception in the Mexican Government. 

The boundary calls of the grant are, mostly, natural objects, or portions thereof, 
such as mountain ranges or i)eaks, oceans, bays, rivers, creeks, &c., uncertain of 
identification, location, and extent; so that to arrive at a harmonious conclusion 
much research and close application of various and often conflicting details are re¬ 
quired. 

If the survey is rejected, another is ordered in accordance with the views of the 
Commissioner of the General Land Office, and if conflicting interests of contesting 
claimants are involved, the action of the Commissioner is appealable to the Secretary 
of the Interior for his final determination, with all the necessary delay attendant 
thereupon; so that years may elapse before the claim arrives at a proper stage for 
patenting. 

The patent is then prepared by the private lands division in favmr of the con¬ 
firmee or his legal representatives, and after referring to the grant, recites as muni¬ 
ments of title the decree on confirmation and the descriptive notes of survey. 

A tracing of the plat of survey is also attached and made a part of the patent, which, 
when completed, is transmitted for the signature of the recorder of the General Land 
Office and of the President of the United States, after which it is returned to the 
private lands division, where it is recorded and then delivered to the party or parties 
entitled thereto ortransmitted to the surveyor-general of California for proper deliv- 
ery. 

As an example of the various xJroceedings in a case of this character attention is 
called to the report of the Commissioner of the General Land Office to the Secretary 
of the Interior in the matter of the Rancho Corte de Madera del Presidio.” (General 
Land Office Report for 1886, p. 212.) 

Example of an ex parte case. Louisiana confirmed private land claim in the name ot 

Neuville Gallien, No. 341, sixth class. 

1886, June 10. Letter from register of district land office, Natchitoches, La., forwarding application 
for patent for said claim by present parties in interest, through attorney. 

1886, June 15. Letter received in General Land Office, registered as No. 64594 in registering division, 
and referred to private land claim division D; entered in register ot letters received, examined 
by chief of division, and by him referred to clerk in charge of private claims in the Southern States, 
who took the case up for action in its regular order. 

1886, June 23. Letter prepared in division D instructing surveyor-general for Loui.^iana to prepare 
and transmit a special plat with descriptive notes of the latest approved survey of the claim, as 
basis for a patent under section 2447, Revised Statutes. • 


214 


TliE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


1886, Julji' 2. Snrveyor-goneral sent up an approved duplicate plat and descriptive notes. Received in 
G. L. O. July 6tli. Entered in re^^istering division, numbered 72020, and referred to division D. 
Entered on register of letters received, and referred by chief ^f division to clerk having case in 
band. Ho critically examined the plat and descriptive notes, and found no errors. The plat was 
then referred to the public lands division C, in order that the claim might be posted in the 
proper tract-book by the Louisiana book-keeper, and interferences noted. 

1886, July 28. The book-keeper in division C posted the claim in tract-book, and returned plat to 
division D with certilicate that there was “no contiict on tract-book.” 

Plat compared with the survey shown on township plat on file in draughtsman’s division L. 

A form, in rough, for a manusciipt patent, prepared in division D, and the patent written by a 
copyist, A copy of the iilat prepared by draughtsman in division L to form part of the patent. 
Complete patent, rough, and plat, compared by clerk in charge of case, assisted by some other 
employ^. 

1886, September 4. Letter prepared by division D and sent to the President’s Secretary to sign Land 
Patents, enclosing the patent, of even date, and requesting its signature “under direction of the 
President.” 

1886, September 4. Letter prepared in division D requesting the recorder of the General Land Office 
to countersign the patent. 

The patent was returned to division D informally, properly signed and sealed. 

It was then recorded by a copyist in the proper volume, and another copy of the plat of survey, pre¬ 
pared by a draughtsman in division L, was inserted in the record. 

The patent and its record were then carefully compared by the clerk having case in charge, assisted 
by some other emplo^’fe. 

A jacket was prepared for the case, numbered, and indexed in the docket of Louisiana claims. 

The record of the patent was indexed in a volume kept for that purpose ; disjiosition of all letters in 
the case annotated upon the register of letters received and upon jacket. Satisfaction of the claim, 
by patent, noted on jacket and also upon the original abstract containing the claim. 

1886, September 10. Letter prejiared in division D transmitting patent to register and receiver at 
HatPhitoches, La., for delivery to person legally entitled to its custody. 

1886, September 10. Letter prepared in division D notif 3 ung the surveyor-general at New Orleans of 
the issuance arid delivery of the patent. 

Case closed and papers filed as No. 183, G Louisiana. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the private land claims division of the General 
Land Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 


Letters. 

California private land claims. 

Oregon and Washington Territory do¬ 
nations . 

Louisiana, Florida, <fcc., private land 

claims. 

New Mexico private land claims. 

Indian allotments. 

Scrip locations. 

Scrip applications (1858). 

New Mexico and Arizona donations.. 
Claims under act June 22,1860, to be 

reported to Congress. 

Awards, Las Animas grant, Colorado. 
Rejected claims. Las Animas grant, 

Colorado. 

Claims under act July 23, 1866. 

Claims in New Mexico and Arizona 

to be reported to Congress. 

Pages of record. 


Pending July 
1,1883. 

u 

p 

r?- CO 

E> 

% fee 

« p 

(JJ 

Disposed o f 
in 1884. 

1-5 -1# 

fee* 

.2 

S 

v 

Ph 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed 0 f 
in 1885. 

"p 

.2 

p 

o 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

(*) 

1,179 

1,097 

81 

1, 318 

1,530 


2, 051 

2, 031 

19 

3 

7 

15 


2 

13 

4 


166 

12 

15 

163 


59 

104 

17 

37 

2, 954 

107 

120 

2, 941 

10 

14 

2, 937 

9 

11 

27 


1 

26 


1 

25 




106 

106 


1, 458 

1 45fi 

740 

641 

1, 077 

309 

341 

1, 045 

567 

628 

984 

24.5 

264 

93 

2 

4 

91 

4 

1 

94 

9 


281 


40 

341 


220 

115 


21 

5 


3 

2 


2 


6 


1 

5 



.5 


1 

24 



24 



24 










12 

g 





7 

5 

2 

50 

17 



1,057 



1, 269 



1,847 









* Not known. 





20 

17 

84 


2, 935 
25 
99 
965 
103 
94 

2 

4 

24 

4 

• 35 


Pages of record, written by copyists, is given upon this form, as found in the Com¬ 
missioner’s annual reports. This, however, represents only a small portion of the 
work done by copyists, who write patents and record them, make all certified or 
other copies required in the division, keep up the various indexes, dockets, &c., and 
compare work performed. 

An inventory has been made, with the above showing, of docket cases upon which 
final action has not been taken by the Land Department of the Government. 

There are, however, a large number of private claims in the territory acquired by 
purchase or treaty, which may at any time be called up for action here, but which are 
not “docket cases” in the General Land Office. The approximate number of such 
claims cannot be given. In the State of Louisiana alone it has been estimated that 
































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


215 


there are some 10,000 private claims, doiiatious, A-c., of which mimhcr it is fomid, by 
actual count, that 1,292 have beeuliiuilly adjusted in the private laud claims division. 

Attention is respectfully called to the statements, in this connection, to be found in 

Iho Public Domain,” p. 365, etseq., 1112, et seq.^ and General Land Office Report, year 
1882, pp. 43-51. 

No account has been kept, tor any particular period, of the character and amount of 
business transacted or labor pertormed by individual employ^, because no record of 
this matter has been required, and in most cases would bo wholly impracticable. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in private land 
claims division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



This is a general average, but it agrees very nearly with the fractions shown in next table. 


No statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted 
and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employd doing the least dur¬ 
ing the periods specified, in the private land claims division of the General Land 
Office, Department of the Interior, has been kept, because such action was not re¬ 
quired under office or Departmental regulations. 

No comparison as to the amount of business transacted by any two ernployds in the 
private land claims division can properly be made, for the reason that no two em- 
ployds are engaged upon work of the same character, except copyists. 

The few clerks in this division are fully employed at all times in transacting the 
business pertaining to their respective desks. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods spec¬ 
ified, by the employes in the private land claims division of the General Land Of¬ 
fice, Department of the Interior : 


Calendar year. 

No. of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

No. work¬ 
ing days. 

Average 
No. days 
absent. 

1884. 


268f 

7 

None ... 

307 

38J 

1885. 

71 

266,^5 

7 

None ... 

301^ 


1886 .-. 

^35 

274Hf 

7 

None ... 

305 

30^1? 

1887 (to March 1). 

7 

44} 

7 

None ... 

48 



The official day is from 9 to 4 (7 hours), but there is allowed to the employes thirty 
minutes, from 12 m. to 12.30 p. in., for lunch, which is almost invariably availed of, 
which wmuld bring the average hours of attendance to not exceeding 6^ honrs. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days 
in the private land claims division of the General Land Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior, during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 


28Ui 

277f 

378 

48 


235} 

241^ 

263J 

26 




jq-Qjp;_Personal enumeration of employes absent the maximum and minimum time is omitted. 































































216 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


SURVEYING (E) DIVISION. 

liejjort of the surveying (P) division, Geuf^ral Land Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Conimittee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

Statemeut sliowiiig the principal items of business transacted in the surveying (E) 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) Preparation of instructions to surveyors-general in the fifteen surveying dis¬ 
tricts in matters pertaining to the survey of public lands and private land claims. 

(2) Examination of all contracts for surveys, writing letters of approval or disap¬ 
proval, or requiring emendations. Recording the contracts in an appropriate volume 
showing number and date of the contract, date of approval, amount of contract, 
and appropriation out of which the same is ])ayable. Noting the surveys to be made 
under each contract upon maps kept for the purpose, showing at a glance all surveys 
under contract for the time being. 

(3) Correspondence with surveyors-general in matters pertaining to the details of 
the service. 

(4) Issue of instructions to examiners of surveys and correspondence in matters per¬ 
taining to their duties. 

(5) Careful scrutiny of all plats and field notes of surveys. 

(b) Consideration of reports of inspections in the field by examiners of surveys, in 
connection with the plats and field notes of the surveys inspected. 

(7) Writing letters of acceptance or rejection of surveys, in which are given resumes 
of the findings of the examiners. In case of rejection the particulars wherein the sur¬ 
veys fail to meet the requirements of law and regulations are itemized in order that 
the same may be placed upon record and to enable the surveyor-general to acquaint 
the contracting deputy with the reasons w^hich induced the rejection of his work. 

(8) Issue of instructions for the survey of Indian and abandoned reservations. 

(9) Preparation of contracts and instructions for the survey of State and Territorial 
boundaries and for surveys in the Indian Territoiy, and examination of returns of sur¬ 
vey upon the completion thereof. 

(10) Letters of advice to surveyors-general and local land offices in regard to all 
Executive orders reserving land for Indian, military, naval, or light-house purposes, 
or in regard to the modification or revocation of such orders. Noting of Executive or¬ 
ders establishing, modifying or relinquishing reservations, in appropriate volumes 
and upon the maps of the several surveying districts. 

(11) Replies to numerous letters from county surveyors and others, in all the public 
laud States and Territories, seeking information and advice in regard to the restora¬ 
tion of lost and obliterated corners of the public-land surveys and the subdivision of 
lauds. 

(12) Preparation of certified copies of field notes and other records required by in¬ 
dividuals or for use as evidence injudicial proceedings. 

(13) Registering letters received. 

(14) Press-copying letters written. 

(10 Recording letters to the several Departments and to subordinate branches and 
officials of the Interior Department, and of such miscellaneous letters as are deemed 
of sufficient importance to be placed upon the permanent record. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the surveying 
(E) division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, includ¬ 
ing one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the General Land Office, and 
then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such princi¬ 
pal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the em¬ 
ployes through whoso hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally 
disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Upon this division is devolved the superintendence of the entire surveying service 
(except the survey of mining claims), embracing fifteen surveying districts with the 
correspondence and miscellaneous duties relating to the survey of the public lands 
and private land claims both in the States and Territories where surveys are now in 
progress and in those States where the office of siirve yor-general has been discon¬ 
tinued. 

The force of eleven employes is divided as follows: 1 chief, 1 assistant chief, 4 cor¬ 
respondents, 1 examiner of surveying returns and special agents’ reports, 1 register¬ 
ing and file clerk, 2 copyists, I type-writer. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


217 


riie inuil matter n'ceived each day is examined by the chief of diVisioii and by 
him assigned, according to its character, to the correspondents in charge of the dii- 
fereut classes of work. 

I he mail is then entered in the division register of letters received, the name of 
the clerk to whom each case is referred being noted thereon. Letters which are 
replies to or acknowledgments of letters previously sent out from this office are noted 
upon the margins of the official record of the letters to which they are replies. 

Reports of special agents on inspection of surveys in the field are referred to the 
clerk having special charge of this class of work, Avho examines the same in con¬ 
nection with the surveying returns and prepares letters of acceptance or rejection 
according to the character of the survey as determined by the field examination. 

Applications for surveys, contracts, and bonds, and correspondence relating thereto, 
are referred to the correspondent in charge of the contract desk, by whom the appli¬ 
cations are considered, the contracts and bonds examined, noted in contract book and 
upon the working diagrams of the several surveying districts, and letters of approval 
or disapproval and all neeessary correspondence relating to this class of business 
prepared. 

Executive orders reserving public lands for Indian, military, naval, light-house or 
other public uses, and correspondence relating thereto, are referred to the corre¬ 
spondent who has charge of the records and files pertaining to such reservations and 
who makes the necessary examination of the records, prejiares reports thereon when 
called for by the Department, notes the reservations in volumes kept for that purpose 
and upon the offieial plats and working diagrams of the several land States and 'I'er- 
ritories, and prepares letters notifying the proper surveyor-general and local land offi¬ 
cers in regard to the lands reserved, in order that the same may be resj)ected in the 
survey and disposal of the public lands. 

Letters from surveyors-general, local land officers, and special agents upon various 
subjects pertaining to the details of the several branches of the service and miscei- 
laneous letters requesting information, certified copies, &c., are <listributed among 
the several correspondents in the division in the discretion of the chief. 

Sample item of business in the surveying (E) division of the General Land Office. 

A PUBLIC LAND SURVEY. 

July 19,1886. Letter from surveyor-general of Colorado, dated July 15, 1886, received at registering 
room. General Land Office, numbered 77234, noted iu register of letters received, surveyors-general 
volume 16 (volume not jiaged, but divided into sections for different surveyors-general by leather 
tags), and referred to Division E (surveys), noted on division register of letters received, volume 
6, page 650, and referred by acting chief of division to J. S. Williams, clerk of class three. Tl.is 
letter transmits, for the approval of the Commissioner of the General Land Office, duplicate of 
contract and bond No. 720, with Benjamin E. Clark, United States deimty surveyor, also special 
instructions to the deputy under said"contract. Liability of contract $2,244, i>ayable from appro¬ 
priation for surveying public lands for the liscal year ending June 30, 1886. 

July 20,1886, contract and bond examined by .said cferk, letter prepared, written out by copyist, ap¬ 
proved by acting chief of division and law clerk, signed by Commissioner of the General Land 
Office July 22,18^86, addressed to the surveyor-general of Colorado, approving contract and bond 
No. 720, and requiring the surveyor-general to issue supplemental special instructions to the dep¬ 
uty regarding retracements of lines of previous 8urvey.s, and calling attention to requirements of 
the manual of surveying instructions relating to the noting of coal banks or beds. Copy of said 
supplemental instructions to be forwarded to the General Laud Office to bo filed with contract. 
Letter copied in press copy volume 49, page 1, and recorded in record of letters to surveyor-gen¬ 
eral of Colorado volume 5, page 195. Commissioner’s approval indorsed on contract and bond—(;on- 
tract entered in division register of surveying contracts and then transferred to Division M. (ac¬ 
counts), whore contracts are kept on file. 

July 30, 1886, letter from surveyor-general of Colorado dated July 26, 1886, transmitting supplemental 
special instructions to Deputy Clark, contract No. 720, as required by Commissioner’s letter of July 
22, 1886, received at registering room, General Land Office, numbered 81431, noted in register of 
letters received, surveyors-general, volume 16, and referred to Division E (surveys). Noted in 
division register of letters received, volume 6, page 656, and referred to clerk above named. 
lu.structious examined and found correetand filed with Contract No. 720, in Division M (accounts). 
Letter filed in Division E. 

August 2, 1886. Letter from surveyor-general of Colorado dated July 28, 1886, recommending that e.x- 
amination of surveys under contract No. 720, with B. E. Clark, D. S., be made during the progress 
of surveys in the field, received in registering room, General Land Office, numbered 82132. Noted 
in register of letters received, surveyors-general, volume 16, and referred to Division E (surveys). 
Noted in division register of letters received, volume 6, page 657. Retained for answer by acting 
chief of division, James Edmunds, clerk of class four. 

August 6, 1886. Letter prepared by said acting chief of division, written'out bj" copyist, approved by 
board of law examiners, signed by Commissioner General Land Office, and dated August 10, 1886, 
addressed to the surveyor-general of Colorado, authorizing that officer to direct Mr. J oshua S. Bond, 
an employb in his office, to inspect the surveys under said contract No. 720 while in progress in the 
field. Letter copied in ]ness copy, volume 49, page 119, and recorded in record of letters to sur¬ 
veyor-general of Colorado, volume 5, page 199. 

August 23, 1886. Letter from surveyor-general Colorado, dated August 19, 1886, inclosing duplicate of 
Instructions issued to Joshua S. Bond for the examinations of surveys under said contract No. 720, 
received at registering room General Land Office, numbered 89925. Noied in register of letters re¬ 
ceived, surveyors-general, vol ime 16, and referred to Division E (surveys). Noted in division re¬ 
gister of letters received, volume 6, page 667. Instructions to Mr. Bond, examined by assistant 
chief of division andlbund unobjectionable. Letter referred to Mrs. E. C. Abbott, clerk class 
$1,000 for acknowledgment. 




218 


THE HEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


August 24, 1886. Letter of acknowledgment prepared by said clerk addi’essed to surveyor-general of 
Colorado, approved by the board of law examiners, signed by Commissioner General Land Oflice, 
dated August 27, 1886; copied in press copy, volume 49, page 183 ; recorded in record of letters to 
surveyor-general of Colorado, volume 5, page 202. 

December 20, 1886. Letter from surveyor-general of Colorado, dated December 14, 1880, transmitting 
duidicate plats and transcript of field notes of a portion of the surveys executed by D. F. Clark 
under said contract No. 720, received ai registering-room. General Land Office, numbered 131,520, 
and referred to Division E (surveys); noted on division register of letters received, volume 7, page 
37, and referred by chief of division to W. C. Miller, clerk of class two, for comparison of plats and 
field notes. 

December 21, 1886. Letter from surveyor-general of Cloroado, dated December 17, 1886, transmitting 
report of Joshua S. Bond, special agent for inspecting surveys of Benjamin F. Clark under con¬ 
tract No. 720, received at registering-room. General Land Office, numbered 131,933, noted in regis¬ 
ter of letters received, surveyors-general, volume 16, and referred to Division E (.surveys); noted 
in division register of letters received, volume 7, page 39, and referred by chief of division to J. B. 
Shinn, clerk class three, but subsequently (upon r eceipt of the final returns of surveys under said 
contract from the surveyor general with bis letter dated February 25,1887) transferred toN. Free¬ 
man, clerk of class three. 

March 4, 1887. Letter from surveyor-general of Colorado, dated February 25, 1887, transmitting final 
returns of surveys under said contract No. 720, received at registering-room, General Land Office, 
numbered 24,447, noted in register of letters received, sui veyors-general, volume 17, and referred to 
Division E (surveys); noted in division register of letters received, volume 7, page 126, and referred 
to VV. C. Miller, clerk of class two, for comparison of plats and field notes. 

The examiner’s report, received with surveyor-general’s letter of December 17, 1886, detailing his 
operation in the field and describing the lines examined, the topography of the country over which 
the lines pass, the character of the corners established by the deputy surveyor, and the measure¬ 
ments between corners, as found by the examiner, was carefully noted and cornpared with the 
plats and field notes of the survey by Mr. Freeman, to whom the matter was referred. The ex¬ 
amination of 170 miles of survey showed the same to be generally well executed, and corners prop¬ 
erly established, and on March 28, 1887, Mr. Freeman prepared a letter addressed to the surveyor- 
general of Colorado, accepting the greater portion of ^he work, but deferring action in regard to 
the subdivisional survey of three townships on account of apparent irregularities in the surveys 
along Grand Kiver. Letter approved by the chief of division and law clerks, signed by the Com¬ 
missioner of the General Laud Office, and dated April 1,1887. Copied in press copy, volume 51, page 
435, recorded in record of letters to surveyor-general of Colorado, volume 5 , page 246. Accepted 
surveys laid down on working diagram showing the extension of public surveys in Colorado. 
Plats and field notes referred, witli letter dated April 1,1887, signed by the chief of division, to 
Division M (accounts) for the adjustment of the deputy’s account and reporting of the same to the 
Treasury for payment. 

The acceptance of a survey and transmission of plats and field notes to the division of accounts com¬ 
pletes the action in surveying division. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disijosed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of 
at the dates specified below, in the surveying division of the General Laud Office, 
Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Received during 1884. 

Disposed of in 1884. 

1 Pending July 1, 1885. 

1 Received during 1886. 

Disposed of in 1886. 

Pending at close of 1886. 

Received during 1885. 

Disposed of in 1885. 

Pending at close of 1885. 

Pending July 1, 1886. 

Received up to March 

1, 1887. 

Disposed of up to March I 
1, 1887. 

Pending March 1, 1887. 

Letters received. 

4,212 

4,212 

50 

3, 600 

3, 575 

75 

4,122 

4, 072 

50 

75 

2, 050 

2, 039 

86 

Letters written... 


3,459 



2, 824 



5, 257 




1 664 


Number of record pages.. 


L913 



% 272 



2 182 




1 074 


Pages of press copy.. 


4 , 544 



5, 312 



4 876 




> 96(5 


Surveying contracts. 

250 

250 


96 

61 

35 

221 

221 


35 

4 

32 

~7 

Plats and transcripts of field-notes of 














surveys of public lands and private 














land claims. 

2, 539 

2,539 

132 

570 

205 

497 

1, 360 

1,228 132 

497 

79 

170 

388 

Reports of special agents on field-work 














of surveys. 




62 

40 

22 




22 

53 

42 

33 

Copying of field notes, number of pages. 


1, 500 



1,021 



2, 755 



1,417 



A very large number of the letters received and answered in tl.c fiscal years 1884 
and 1885 were surveyor-generals’ letters transmitting returns of surveys and letters 
in reply accepting the same. 

During those years a great many surveys were made. In 1884 surveys of over fifty- 
two millions of acres were returned and accepted, and in 1885 over thirty millions of 
acres. Surveys were then accepted without any field examinations and after an office 
examination only of the plats and notes. 

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1886, surveys of less than two millions of acres 
were accepted, and those only after field examinations had been made in most cases 
















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 219 

and tlie examiner’s reports carefully tested in this office in connection with the re¬ 
turns of surveys. 

But even with the apparent decrease in the amount of letters received and plats and 
field notes accepted, it will be seen by the number of pages of record that the work 
has steadily increased: 


Pages of record in 1884.. 1,913 

1885 . 2,182 

1886 . 2,272 


Number of pages for the eight months from July 1, 1886, to March 1, 1887, 1,704, 
an apparent falling off, which is owing to the fact that the recording of miscellaneous 
letters ceased August 9, 1886, except in a few important cases. 

Statement showing the average amount and character of business performed, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period specified, by the employes in the surveying 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

No record having been kept in the surveying division of the work done by months, 
it is impossible to furnish such a statement as is called for by this blank. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the surveying 
(E) division of the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior, during the pe¬ 
riods specified: 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

9 

9 

9 

0 

9 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

1885. 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

10 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

1886. 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

11 

11 

11 

11 


11 

11 


















Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
' disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ6 doing the least during 
the periods specified, in the surveying division of the General Laud Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 

It is not possible to furnish the information called for by this table because no ac¬ 
count has been kept of the separate work of each employd. The reason why such ac¬ 
count has not been kept is that H was not considered practicable or necessary, and 
has not been required. The division is a small one, the chief knows the work per¬ 
formed by each, and the work is so varied and differing in its importance and char¬ 
acter that it has not been considered practicable to furnish any account showing rel¬ 
atively the amount and value of the work done by each. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the surveying (E) division of the General Land Office, 
Department of the Interior : 


Tear. 

Number of 
employ69. 

Average 
number of 
days 
present. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number 

working 

days. 

Average 
number 
daysab¬ 
sent. 

1884 ... 

9.44 

273.27 

7 

307 

33. 73 

1885 . 

10. 33 

258. 99 

7 

301.5 

42.51 

1 S8f> . 

10. 34 

268.86 

7 

305 

36.14 

1887 (to March 1). 

11 

46. 68 

7 

48 

1.318 


The official day is from 9 to 4 (7 hours), but there is allowed to the employes thirty 
minutes, from 12 m. to 12.30 p. m.,for lunch, which is almost invariably availed of, 
which would bring the average hours of attendance to not exceeding 6^ hours. 

The followiuo- statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ<i present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum number 
of days devoted to business by the employ<i present for the least number of days in 


















































220 


TliE DEPARTMEN'r OF TltE INTEUIOR. 


the snrveyiiipj (E) division of the-office, Department of the Interior, <inring’ tho 

l)eriods specilied: 



1884. 

1885. 

1880. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

UnxiinuTTi number of do.ys_ _ ___... 

*283 

*280. 39 

*282. 93 

*t48 

Minimum number of days... 

C) 

241). 57 

(§) 

244. ()4 

(II) 

249 

(U) 

41 






*Assistant chief of division. § Correapondino: clerk. 

tSixof the eleven clerks full time forJanuarj'and February, 1887. || Exaininer of survejdiig returns. 

t Chief of division. Type-vriter. 


KAILROAD DIVISION. 

lieport of the railroad division, General Land Office, on the methods of husiness and. woi’Jc, 
as requested hy Senate Select Committee and called for hy Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Statement showing the princii)al items of business transacted in the railroad divis¬ 
ion of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

Registering letters received. 

Noting distribution of same, and answers when made. 

Registering entries of lapds within railroad, wagon-road, and canal grant limits. 
Docketing contested entries and applications for lands within railroad, wagon-road, 
and canal grant limits. 

Examining and deciding applications and entries for lands within such limits, and 
notifying the local land officers and the parties in interest of the action taken. 

Noting appeals from the decisions made, and transmitting the same, together with 
all papers and arguments therein, to the Secretary of the Interior for his action. 

Promulgating decisions of the Secretary when made, in such cases, and notifying 
the local land officers and the parties in interest of the consents thereof. 

Press-copying all letters and decisions written. 

Recording from the press-copies all letters and decisions. 

Correspondence upon all subjects relating to the disposal of lauds within railroad, 
wagon-road, and canal grant limits. 

Preparing certified copies of the records and of papers and maps on file when called 
for. 

Registering, examining, and recommending for approval all articles of incorpora¬ 
tion and maps filed by railroad companies claiming right of way over public lands 
of the United States under act of March 3, 1875, and other acts granting right of 
way. 

Listing, certifying, and patenting railroad and wagon-road lands. 

Adjusting railroa«l and wagon-road land grants. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the railroad di¬ 
vision of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one 
or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing in con¬ 
secutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the ac¬ 
tion thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

(Sample item.] 

On Marcli 1, 1884, there was received at the registering-room of the General Land Office a letter 
dated February 23, 1884, from the register at Sacramento, Cal., transmitting the record of testi¬ 
mony taken at a hearing had at the said office January 14, 1884, upon tlie application of Nathan B 
Hall to make homestead entry of lot 1 of NE. J, SE. i NE. J and N. J SE. \ of section 25, Tp. 13 N.’ 
It. 6 E., M. D. M., together with the opinion of the register and receiver in favor of Hall’s appli¬ 
cation and appeal therefrom by the railroad company. ^ 

Said letter and inclosures were registered in vol.20, numbered 2362G,and referred to the railroad division. 
Upon receipt thereof the chief of said division referred them to a fourth-class clerk, by writing iii 
pencil, the name of the clerk upon the letter inclosing the same. They were then handed, by ’the 
chief, to the registering clerk of the division, who entered them upon'his register, and then laid 
them upon the desk of the clerk named, in pencil note, by the chief. 




















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


221 


In April, 1884, the case was taken up by the said clerk, and after a careful examination of the testi¬ 
mony (which showed that one iJaniel Heryford, a citizen of the United States, and a qualified 
pre-emptor, was residing upon, improving, and claiming the land at the date when the right of the 
railroad company should have attached), he prepared a letter, addressed to the register and le- 
ceiver at Sacramento, setting forth the facts, and permitting Hall to make entry of the land, sub¬ 
ject to appeal within sixty days. Ho also ijrepared, at the same time, a letter addiesscd to Henry 
Heard, attorney for the railroad company, AVashington, D. C., advising him of the purport of the 
decision made, and allowing him sixty days within which to appeal tbeiefrora. 

The said clerk placed his initials upon these letters and delivered them to the chief of the division, who 
carefully examined them, and approved the same by placing his initials thereon. The chief then 
delivered them to the law clerks of the lantl office, who also made a careful examination of the 
same and approved them by placing their checks in colored pencil (which were equivalent to ini¬ 
tials) upon the same. 

They were then handed to the Commissioner by the law clerk for examination and signature. The 
Commissioner, upon examination, approved the same by affixing his signature thereto. They were 
then returned by a messenger to the railroad division, where they were dated April 7, 1884. by the 
chief and then handed to the press-copying clerk, whomade press-copies of the same, and theulaid 
them upon the desk of the writer, who made notes of their contents upon the case, and then mailed 
them to the parties to whom they were addressed. 

April 28, 1884, an appeal from said decision, by Henry Beard, attorney for the railroad company, was 
received at the registering-room of the General Land Office, which was registered in vol. 05, page 
47, numbered 44672, and referred to the railroad division. The chief of said division noted the 
name of the appeal clerk thereon, and handed the appeal to the registering clerk of the division, 
who entered it ui)on his register, and then handed the same to the appeal clerk, who placed it with 
the other papers in the case, and handed the whole to the docket clerk, to be by him made into 
what is called a “docket case.” The said clerk entered the papers upon his docket No. 5, andthen 
placeel them in a jacket numbered 4210, prepared by him for that puropse, and upon which was 
written the title of the case, and all aciiou taken thereon to that date. The case was then jdaced 
in the files of docket cases. 

On July 2, 1884, a letter was received at the registering-room of the General Land Office from the reg¬ 
ister at Sacramento, Cal., reporting that no appeal had been filed in that ofiice by the Central Pa¬ 
cific Ilailroad Company from the decision of the Commissioner of April 7, 1884, in the case of 
Nathan B. Hall vs. the said company. This letter pas.sed through the ordinary course of being 
registered, numbered, &c., until it reached the appeal clerk, who filed it with docket case No. 4210. 

In February 1885, a letter was prepared by the appeal clerk transmitting to the Secretary of the In¬ 
terior, on appeal, the papers in the case of the Central Pacific Ilailroad Company vs. Nathan B. 
Hall, involving lot 1 of Is.E. i SE. J, NE. J and N. i, SE. ^ of section 25. 13 N., 6 E., M. D.M., Sac¬ 
ramento, Cal. The said clerk at the same rime prei)ored a letter, addressed to the register and i e- 
ceiver at Sacramento, advising them that the said case had been sentupon appeal to theSecretary. 
He also addressed a letter to Henry Beard, attorney for the railroad company, advising him of the 
action taken. 

These letters passed through the regular course of examination as those preceding until they reached 
the Commissioner and were signed by him, and returned by messenger to the chief of the railroad 
division, who dated them February 20, 1885; they Were then press-copied by the press-copying 
clerk and returned to the writer, who mailed them to the proper parties. 

January 4, 1886. a letter from the Secretary of the Interior, dated December 23, 1885, affirming the 
decision of the Commissioner of the General Land Office of April 7, 1884, in the case of the Cen¬ 
tral Pacific Eailroad Company ■rs. Nathan B. Hall, was received at the registering-room of the 
General Land Office, which was duly registered and numbered 5.34, and referreil to the railroad 
division. This letter passed through the regular course of those preceding until it reached the 
apneal clerk, who made, or caused to be made, a copy of the same. He then prepared a letter ad¬ 
dressed to the register and receiver, Sacramento, Cal., advising them of the purport of the Secre¬ 
tary’s decision. and inclosing the copy of the same, and directing them to peim-it Nathan B. Hall 
to make homestead entry of the land involved. Ho also prepared a letter addressed to Henry 
Beard, attorney for the railroad company, advising hiju of the Secretary’s decision. 

These letters also passed through the usual course of examination, were signed by the Commissioner 
and returned to the railroa.l division, where they were dated January 9,1886, duly press-copied and 
mailed to the proper parties, their date and purport being noted upon case No. 4210, which was 
then marked “Closed.” The result of this action was the elimination of the railroad claim, thus 
rendering the laud subject to entry by Hall, or the first legal applicant. The records of this office 
do not show that Hall has made entry of. the land. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disimsed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and nndis- 
jiosed of, at the dates specified below, in the railroad division of the General Land 
Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Pending July 
1, 1884. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of 
in 1885. 

Pending July 
1, 1885. 

/ 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Applications for lands. 

Letters.number.. 

Eailroad selections.acres.. 

AVagon-road selections..do- 

7,484 

li, 861, 608. 50 
29, 735.48 

2, 069 

6, 538 

2,411,449.31 
128, 067. 24 

1,388 

7,413 

1,153, 950 

549.42 

8,165 

13,119,109. 81 
157, 253. 30 

4, 879 
8,910 

2, 298, 241.81 
440 

^Character of business. 

Disposed of 
in 1886. 

Pending July 
1, 1886. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1887. 

Disposed of 
up to 

Mar. 1, 1887. 

Pending Mar. 
1,1887. 

Applications for lands. 

Letters..number.. 

Efiilroad selections-acres.. 

AVagou-road selections..do- 

2,173 
6,187 
100, 823. 02 
549.42 

10, 871 

15, 316, 526. 60 
157,143.88 

1,948 

5, 004 

3, 092, 662.41 
54,929.71 

2, 380 

5, 073 
195,434. 98 

. 

! 

10,439 

. 

18, 213, 755. 03 
211, 773. 59 


















































222 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The discrepancy between the number of letters received and the number written 
is explained on the gronud that the letters received are not only letters of inquiry, 
requiring direct answers, but embrace also letters transmitting applications to enter 
lands, to dispose of which requires from one to four letters. 

The number of letters on hand at the beginning of the calendar year has never 
been kept, and therefore cannot be given. The above statement shows the number 
of letters received and number written during the year. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the railroad 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

24 

25 

2.5 

24 

25 

1885. 

27 

28 

28 

28 

28 

27 

26 

27 

27 

27 

27 

24 

1886. 

1887 (to MaroTi 1. 

22 

32 

21 

31 

21 

21 

21 

22 

31 

33 

29 

29 

30 

32 













The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied by the eraployds in the railroad division of the General Land Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

No. of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

1884. 

24 

B. n. M. 
270. 3. 00 

7 

0 

1885.. 

27 

267. 6. 18 

7 

0 

1886 . 

26 

269. 2. 03 

7 

C 

1887 (to March 1). 

31 

46. 2. 27 

7 

0 


Possible number of days for 1884, 307; for 1885, SOU; for 1886, 305; for 1887 (to 
March 1), 48. 

Average time lost f>er employd for 1884, 36 days 4 hours; for 1885, 33 days 4 hours 
12 minutes; for 1886, 35 days 4 hours 57 minutes; for 1887,1 day 4 hours 33 minutes 
(to March 1). 

Thirty minutes for lunch are allowed each day. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days 
in the railroad division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

292 

282 

236 

297 

197 

48 

0/4 

Minimum number of days. 

231 

- ' ■ ' ' -- -1 -—- 



Number of days possible for 1884, 307; for 1885, 301f; for 1886, 305; for 1887, 48. 
[Note by Committee: Statement of names of employds present, &c., most and least 
omitted.] 

Maximum time (in this case meaning all possible working time) has been made by 
3 . number of enjploj^ds. ^ 
























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


223 


PRE-EMPTIOX (G) DIVISION. 

Report of the p7'e-emption (G) division, General Land Office, on the methods of business 

and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Departmenl cir¬ 
cular of March 28, 1887. 

The work of this divisiou relates to the examination of claims arising under the 
pre-emption law. Primarily it is an inspection of the proof offered by parties in sup¬ 
port of their pre-emption claims. Incidentally it involves the disposition of con¬ 
tested cases arising between pre-eraptors on the one hand and claimants under the 
pre-emi)tion, homstead, timber culture, desert land, timber and stone, and town-site 
laws. Applications for amendment of erroneous filings and entries and for restora¬ 
tion of pre-emption rights are also an important branch of this division. 

The clerks at present are divided as follows: 

One chief of division. 

Three examiners of contested cases. 

Nine examiners of ex pai'te cases. 

Two examiners of applications for amendment. 

Two examiners of applications for hearings. 

One examiner of appeals. 

Two corresponding clerks. 

1 ' ive recorders or copyists. 

Four clerks on dockets and files. 

One examiner of town-sites. 

The chief of division has a general supervision of the work, referring the mail to 
the proper clerks, reading all official letters written in the division, and passing upon 
the questions involved before they are submitted to the reading and law clerks of 
the Bureau, and keeping a record of the attendance. 

The examiners of contested cases inspect the office record of the tract in contest, 
read and pass upon the testimony and legal questions involved, prepare the decision 
of the Commissioner thereon, and dispose of the motions incidental to the case. 

The ex parte clerks examine the formal proof of pre-emption entries, inspect the rec¬ 
ords for conflicts, and finally, if the entry is satisfactory, recommended it to the board 
of review for final examination, with a view to patenting the same. If a defect ap¬ 
pears in the proof or entry papers, the local officers are notified of such defect by let¬ 
ter, and the case is suspended until the defect is cured. 

The correspondents answer by letter all communications addressed to this office 
relating to pre-emption questions, except letters from the local officers transmitting 
reports or supplemental proof in suspended cases, which are usually referred to the 
clerk who suspended the entiy. 

Applications forbearing are examined with a view to ascertaining the grounds on 
which they are asked, and if aprimafacie case appears, a hearing is ordered by let¬ 
ter addressed to the register and receiver of the proper land district. 

Amendment clerks examine the proof offered in support of the application for 
amendment, and pass upon the sufficiency of the same. This work involves careful 
scrutiny of the record of the tract sought to be covered by the amendment, and is 
often much delayed by the backward condition of the posting of the tract-books in 
the public lauds division. 

The appeal clerk examines the appeal, and if in form, transmitsthe same, together 
with the entire record of the case and a copy of the decision of this office to the Sec¬ 
retary of the Interior. If not in form as prescribed by the rules of practice, the ap¬ 
peal is returned to the local officers for correction. When the case is returned by the 
Secretary, the appeal clerk finally disposes of it, transmitting a copy of the decision 
to the local officers, advising local attorneys thereof, and having proper notations 
made on all the records affected by the decision. 

'I'he recorders enter upon the records copies of letters and decisions sent out from 
the division, carefully comparing the record with the original, before the latter is 
mailed. They also prepare such copies as are required incidental to the work of the 
division. When not otherwise occupied they make jackets for ex parte cases. 

The docket clerk enters every contested case upon the docket, provides it with a 
jacket on which is noted every action had in the case, which he afterwards tran¬ 
scribes to his docket. He withdraws from the public lands divisiou all entries and 
• other papers involved in the case. 

The ex parte cases are jacketed, briefed, and recorded in suitable books, m numer¬ 
ical order, and after final disposition are charged out on the same book to the board 

ofreview. • . i i • i? • 

A special record is provided for the registry of all letters received, a brief synopsis 

of their contents, the clerk to whom referred, and the date of answer. This work 
consumes the entire time of one clerk. ^ i i 

The file clerks have charge of the files, withdrawing cases for the use of clerks, and 
returning them to their plapes whep cpinpleted, These pleyks, with the docket cleyks, 


224 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


answer all inquiries of attorneys as to tlie status ot cases in wliicli they are inter- 
ested. 

The town-site desk is not properly a part of the pre-einption division, hut has had 
a place in that division for many years. 

The clerk has charp;e of all matters relating to town-site entries and town-site res¬ 
ervations, keeping the records thereof, passing upon town-site applications, examin¬ 
ing the proofs ollered in support of town sites, and deciding all contests in relation 
thereto. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the pre-emption 
division of the General Land Office, in the Dei)artment of the Interior, including one 
or more items of the ])riucipal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receijit of the business matter in the General Land Office, and 
then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such prin¬ 
cipal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the 
employes through whoso hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until Ihe same is finally 
disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Pre-empiion cash entries are received in the mail, accompanied by the monthly ab¬ 
stracts of the register and receiver of the sales for the month in which they were 
made. From the mail room they are referred to division M (accounts). After an 
examination of the account and an entry of the sales has been made, the abstract 
and entries are referred to division C (public lauds), where they are posted in the 
proper tract books, and entered on a charge book and then sent to this (G) the pre¬ 
emption division. Here they are jacketed by the copyists, the jacket containing an 
indorsement of the name of the entryman, description of tlie laud entered, the num¬ 
ber of the entry, and the name of the land office where made. I’his indorsement, 
with the exception of the name of the entryman, is entered upon a set of books 
known as the credit books, after which the entries are placed in the files for five 
months, the object being to avoid examining an entry until all possible adverse 
claims shall have been made of record in this office. When reached in its numerical 
order, the entry is assigned to an ex parte examiner. The first step is to examine the 
docket to see that no contest is pending against it, and that if the entry is the re¬ 
sult of a contest decided in the past, the instructions of this office have been com- 
])lied with. The same clerk then takes the case to the public lands division, where 
the tract embraced in the entry is scrutinized, and all couliicciug claims noted. If 
the conflict is with another entry, that entry is withdrawn and entered upou the 
credit book. The certificate of entry is compared with the receipt and the proof 
papers, that any discrepancy in the name, date, or tract may be detected. The proof 
is then taken up, being made by questions and answers on blanks furnished by this 
office. If there are no conflicting claims, and no defects in the ])roof presented, the 
entry is recommended to the board of review for patent; it is delivered to the 
credit book clerk, who charges it off of his book and delivers it to the board of re¬ 
view, where the case is re-examined. If there found correct it is apjiroved for pat¬ 
ent and delivered to the recorder. lu the recorder’s division it is again entered on a 
charge book, and given to the patent writer. After the patent has "been written and 
recorded, it is compared with the certificate of entry and the patent record, and, if 
found correct, delivered to the party holding the duplicate receipt therefor. The 
case is then filed away. If the ex parte examiner in this division finds a conflict or a 
defect in the proof, or both, a letter is written to the local officers of the office at 
Avhich the entry w^as made, setting out such defects ; in the case of an adverse claim, 
sixty days are allowed the adverse claimant Avitbiu which to show cause why his ad 
verse claim should uot be canceled. If he fails to respond Avithin the time "allowed, 
upon report of the local officers to that effect, the claim is canceled and the entry 
recommended to the board of review. If supplemental proof is needed, a similar 
letter is Avritteu to the local officers setting out the defec^ and requiring them to 
notify the claimant of such defect and calling uponfliim to rectify it by proper jiioof. 
Upon its receipt the case is again considered and if satisfactory"sent fo the board of 
reAuew; if not satisfactory a further call is made. If the necessary proof is not 
furuishecl, the entry is held for cancellation, and appeal allowed to the Secretary of 
the Interior. If no appeal 's taken the entry is canceled, the cause of cancellation 
noted across the face of the certificate, together Avith the date thereof. The certificate 
and receipt are placed in a “ cancellation jacket ” and charged to the recorder’s divis¬ 
ion, where they are filed away. The proof is retained in the closed pre-emption files. 
If an appeal is taken, the appeal clerk transmits the entry'aud the decision rejecting 
it to the Secretary, the case l)eiug regularly docketed on the contest docket. Upon 
its return from the Secretary the appeal clerk close the case in accordance Avith the 
Secretary’s instructions, notifying the local officers of such action. If the Secretary 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 225 

.nflirnjs tlio action of this office the case is canceled as above recited ; if this office 
is reversed the case goes in usual course to the board of review. 

Should the board of review discover defects, overlooked by this division, a minute 
is made thereof and returned to this division wdth the case, when the same course is 
pursued to complete the proof. The letters written are presented to the chief of di¬ 
vision, who, if he approves of them, notes his initials thereon, and sends them to the 
reading clerks. If they approve their initials are also noted, and the letters are then 
presented to the Assistant Commissioner for signature. If the reading clerks do not 
approve, their objections are returned with the letter to the writer. The signed let¬ 
ters are returned to the writer, who, after making a press-copy thereof, notes the 
action on the case and returns it to the tile clerk and presents the letter to the re¬ 
corder. After being compared with the record it is sent to its destination. An 
examination, on an average, of eight cases a day is good work for a diligent clerk. 

Contested cases involving pre-emption rights come to this division directly from 
the mail room. Alter being charged on the letter register they are placed in the 
hands of the docket clerk, W'ho prepares a jacket, giving the title of the case, the name 
of the land office, and the number of the docket, case, and page, and draws all entries 
and papers from other divisions relating thereto. The case is then placed in the files 
for thirty days to afford attorneys an opimrtunity to examine the record. This rec¬ 
ord is prepared at the local office, and consists of testimony taken, exhibits filed, the 
opinions of the register and receiver thereon, together with a letter of transmittal 
setting out in brief a history of .the case up to date of transmission. The testimony, 
of course, varies in quantity, some records containing several hundred pages of closely 
written manuscript, and others again but very few jiages. As the cases come in order 
for examination they are taken up by the contest clerk, who first examines the tract 
book for adverse claims, and then reads the record, passing upon all questions of law 
and fact raised, and prepares a decision containing a statement of the facts estab¬ 
lished and the conclusions derived therefrom. Local attorneys, if any, are also no- 
tifiedby letter of the action taken. The decision is submitted to the chief of division, 
who notes his approval by initialing the letter. It is then passed upon by the law 
examiners, who also note their approval by initialing the letter, and then present it 
to the Commissioner for signature. In case of disapproval the letter is returned to 
the writer, with a note stating the objection thereto. After signature the letter is 
returned to the writer, who notes his action on the jacket of the case, makes a press- 
copy of the letter, returns the case to the docket and file clerks, and presents his letter 
to the proper recorder. Should a motion for review be filed it is docketed with the 
case and referred to one of the contest clerks, other than the one who prepared the 
decision, who passes upon it, writing a letter to the local officers advising them of the 
action taken thereon. If an appeal from the Commissioner’s decision is taken it 
comes through the mail, is noted on the letter register and docket and is then given 
to the appeal clerk, after which it takes the course as in ex parte cases. 

Applications for amendment of pre-emption filings or entries, come through the 
mail, are placed on the letter register and then referred to the amendment clerks. 
Each application involves a scrutiny of the record of the tract sought to be embraced 
in the amended filing or entry, and then the principles of law applicable to amend¬ 
ments are applied. If an amendment is allowed, a letter to that effhet is addressed 
to the local officers of tbe land district from which the application emanated, which 
letter takes the course given under the head of ex parte cases. After signature the 
letter is presented to the proper clerk of the public lands division who makes the 
necessary notations upon the tract book. The letter is then press-copied, recorded, 
and sent out. If the application is denied a letter to that effect is prepared, and after 
taking the usual cmirse of letters in ex parte cases is sent out. 

Apidications for restoration of pre-emption rights are similarly acted upon. 

Applications for hearing are received through the mail, and after being placed on 
the letter register are referred to the proper clerk. These applications also involve 
a scrutiny of the tract book, and an examination of the affidavits filed in support 
thereof. If a prima fade case is presented, a hearing is ordered, the entry attacked 
withdrawn, the local officers notified, and upon receipt of the testimony the case is 
docketed and becomes a contested case. If a hearing is refused, the local officers are 
so advised by letter, and the application, with a proper indorsement, filed away. 

The dockets contain a complete history of the several actions had in each case, and 
the proper keeping of them occupies tbe entire time of one clerk, and the credit books 

the entire time of two clerks. ^ , , , . , 

The town site desk receives the town site entries from the clerk in charge ot the 
credit book, notes them on a special town site docket, examines the proof, and allows 
or disallows the entry after the manner of ex parte entries. The reservations for town 
sites are directly under his supervision. He furnishes the local officers all instructions 
relative to the manner of procedure in offering the town lots for sale; posts the entries 
on his special tract books, after receiving them with the abstracts from the division 
of accounts; c xaniines the entries after the manner of ex parte cases, and charges them 

4402 INT- 15 




226 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


to the hoard of review when satisfactory. All acconnts involving town lots or town 
site entries, except when in conflict with railroad grants or mineral claims, are dis¬ 
posed of by this clsrk, and all correspondence relating to this subject is carried on by 
him. 

Exemplified copies of the records are prepared and transmitted as occasion requires 

Sample of work performed in the pre-emption division. 

With letter of J uly 29,1880, the register and receiver at Itosehurg, Oreg., trananiitted the papers and their 
joint opinion in the case of Millaid Shoemaker v. Hugh Duffy, to this office. This was a contest be¬ 
tween a homestead and pre-emption claimant, and the hearing had been had and testimony submitted 
to the local officers. The letter was received in the mail room September 1,1880, Avhere it received 
the current letter number, 57903, 1883. It was entered on the register of letters received, and on the 
numerical index and referred to this division. It then went into the hands of Mrs. L. M. Mat¬ 
tingly, who entered the same on the tlivisioii register of lettets and referred it to Mr. O. Whitney, 
then in charge of the docket. He prepared a jacket i'or the case with the following indorsement: 
“ Roseburg, Oreg., Millard Shoemaker v. Hugh Dutly, Doc. 10, Case 9.5, page 78,” and entered 
the case on said docket and page, giving the letter and its inclosiircs the docket numbty 1. He 
also withdrew from the public lauds division Duffy’s homestead entrj' Xo. 3349, and gave it docket 
number 2, at the same time entering it on the credit book, vol. 1, )>. C5G. On November 5, 1881, 
Mr. P. H. Seymour prepared a decision in the case, awarding the laud to Shoemaker, siibiect to 
appeal. This decision was read by Mr. Henry Howes, chief of division, and after initialing the 
decision “II. H.,” submitted it to the reading clerks, who also initialed it and presented it to the 
Commissioner. N. C. McFarland, for signature. The signed letter wms returned by messenger to 
Mr. How es, who handed it to Mr. Seymour, who made a press-copy thereof and caused it to bo re¬ 
corded by Mrs. H. E. Gray in vol. 159^, page 178, of the register and receiver’s record, and care¬ 
fully compared with the record, after which it w^as mailed to its desiination. A notation of the 
decision was briedy made on the jacket, which was entered on the docket by Mr. Whitney and 
the case returned to the files. On January 26,1882, a letter was received from Hon. M. C. George, 
of the House of Ilepre.sentatives, without date, asking the status of the case. This letter was re¬ 
ceived in the mail room January 26, 1882, briefed, and numbered 7283. After being legisteied on 
both registers it w’as sent to the public lands division and by the chief of that division handed to 
Mr. McNultv, who registered the same and handed it to Mr. Peirce, in charge of the Oregon books. 
Mr. Peirce finding a pre-emption claim involved, referred the letter to this division. It was ac¬ 
cordingly, on January 26, 1882, charged oil' the register of letters in the public lauds division, re-- 
turned to tlm mail loom, then charged to this division, and by Mr. Howes, the chief, referred to 
Miss Mary C. Torrey for answer. By her a letter Avas written informing Mr. George of the decis¬ 
ion in the case; this letter was read and initialed by Mr. IIoAves and the reading clerks, and 
signed by the Commissioner January 28, 1882, returned to Miss Torrey, press-copied by her, and 
entered on the record, after Avhich it was sent by .special Congressional mail to the House of Rep¬ 
resentatives. A minute was made on the jacket of the case, and the letter and a copy of the min¬ 
ute was entered on the docket by Mr. S. H. Jecko, then docket clerk, the letter receiving docket 
number 4. 

On Febri arv 8,1882, a letter dated on that day, Avas received from Hon. L. Grovei', of the United States 
Senate, inclosing a letter from Mr. Duffy, asking that a rehearing of the case be granted, or that 
tlie time for appeal be extended. In the mail-room this letter receiA^ed the current letter No. 11443, 
1882, and referred to division C (the public lands division), Avhere it was entered on the letter-reg¬ 
ister and given to Mr. Peirce for attention. Finding that the case Avas in the pre-emption divi.sion 
Mr. Peirce refei red the letter to that division, February 11,1882, having it charged off the division 
register, and the numerical index of the mail-room. "On reaching this division, Mr. Howes, the 
chief of division, referred it to Mr. Barnes for answer. After being entered in the division reg¬ 
ister of letter.s received, vol. 27, p. 109, Mr. Barnes recei\’ed the letter and hunted up the case. 
F'indiug that Mr. Seymour had taken action thereon, the letter was given him, and on February 14, 
1882, ho prepared aii answer to Mr. Duffy’s letter, advising him of the status of the case, and in¬ 
structing him how to proceed to perfecd an amieal. A letter Avas also prepared by Seymour 
to Senator Grover, inclosing the letter to Mr. Duffy for inspection and transmission. Both letters 
were read and initialed by Mr. Howes and the reading clerks, and signed by the Commis.siouer. 
Dir. Seymour then press-copied and caused them to be recorded in vol. 58. pp. 269 and 271, respect¬ 
ively, of the miscellaneous record, and inclosed, with a penalty-enA'elope addressed to Mr. Dliffy, 
to Senator Grover. Proper notations Avere made on the jacket of the case and on the docket, tlie 
letter receiving docket No. 5. 

By letter of February 24,1882, the register of the land office at Roseburg, Oreg., reported that no appeal 
had been taken from the decision of November 5,1881. This letter came through the mail-room, 
receiving the current number 20032,1882, and after being registered on both registers was referred 
to this division, where .after registry it was filed withthecase, andnotedon the docket having docket 
No. 0. On March 13,1882, a 1 etter Avas prepared by Miss M. C. Torrey directing the local ofticers at Rose- 
burg, Oi eg., to allow thirty days additional for an appeal, if desired. This letter was initialed by 
Mr. Howes, Hie chief of division, the reading clerks, and signed by the Commissioner ; was re¬ 
turned to Miss Torrey, Avho press-copied and caused the s.ameto be recorded in vol. 160,p, 90 (reg¬ 
ister and receiver) record, and carefully compared and mailed. Notations of the contents of the 
letter were made on the jacket of the case and on the docket. 

A letter from L. F. Grover, of the United States Senate, dated May 21,1882, asking for a rehearing, was 
received in the mail-room June 1,1882, and was registered as No. 43406,1882, and referred to divis¬ 
ion C (public lauds), and on the letter register of that division charged to Mr. Peirce, who in the 
usual course on the same day referred the letter to this division. It Avas assigned to Mr. Seymour, 
Avho prepared an answer, wffiich passed through the hands of the chief of divi.sion and the reading 
clerk, and was signed by Commissioner McFarland June 7,1882. It came back to Mr. Seymour, 
who made letter-press copy of it, and had it recorded in vol. 58, p. 149, and carefully compared! 
and then sent to Senator Grover, whose letter received docket No. 7. 

On June 9,1882, a letter, aated May 25,1882, transmittin" the appeal of Duffy, was received in this 
division, it having been jeceived June 6, and duly registered and numbered 44743, and referred to 
division C, when Mr. Peirce, into A\diose hands it fell, referred and transferred it to the pre-emp¬ 
tion division, the chief of w hich assigned it to Miss Torrey, who, after the same had been regis¬ 
tered, filed it with the ca.se as docket No. 8. 

On June 26,1882, Mr. Seymour jirep.ared a letter of instructions to the register and receiver at Rose¬ 
burg, Oreg., relative to the case. This letter received tlie approval of the chief of division and the 
reading clerks, and the signature of the Commi.ssioner, and was then press-copied by Mr. Seymour, 
recorded and compared, and transmitted to the local officers at Roseburg; such action being noted 
on the jacket and docket. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


227 


On July 31,1882, a letter from the refjister at Itoseburg, Orog., dated July 20, l‘’82,'reportinc in answer 
to letter G, June i'0,18r'2, above lefeTicfl to, was received, registered, and numbered 59077, referred 
to Mr. Peirce ot the public lands division, and by bim referred to this division August 2, 1882, 
entered on register vol. 30, p. 70, and referred to Miss Torrey, who tiled it with the case as docket 
Ts'o. 9. In reply thereto Mr. Seymour, on August 14, 1882, called for a further report, the letter 
jiassing through the hands of the chief of division, the reading clerk, and the Commissioner, press- 
copied by Mr. Seymour, and l eeorded in vol. 164, p. 172. To this a reply was received September 
7,1882, dated August 20, trom the register, which in the mail-room was numbered 70179, and then 
reterred to the public lauds division, whence Mr. Peirce referred it to this division September 9, 
1882. llegistered in vol. 20, p. 162, and filed with the case as docket No. 10. 

On September 15,1882, Mr. Seymour prepared a decision dismissing the appeal and motion for new 
. ^ trial. Decision passes through the usual course, and was recorded vol. 164, p. 247. 

This decision closed the case. Proper notations were made on tlie docket and jacket, the homestead 
entry of Dutiy was relumed to the public lauds division, and the case placed in the “ special” 
or closed files. 


On February 22,1882, Millard F. Shoemaker made pre-emption cash entry, 5012, at Roseburg, Oreg., for 
E. ^ of S. PJ S. E. i of N. E. :J, and lot 1, Sec. 2, 31 S., 15 W., for which he had on November 1,1879, 
filed declaratory statement No. 3639. The oa.sh entry, 5012, was transmitted by the local officers 
with their monthly returns, on March 1, 1882, being received in the msual course of mail, March 
17,1882, in the mail-room where the letter of transmittal received the current office number, 22155, 
series of 1882, and was referred to division M. The abstract and entries received (including No. 
5012) were compared, examined as tocorrectue.ss in the matteis of name, description, area, number, 
and piico paid, and referred to division G (the public lands division), where in due course this en¬ 
try was posted on the proper tract book, vol. 26, S. & W., p. 13, entered on the charge book, and re¬ 
ferred to this division, where it was received on May 15,1882. In due course it was placed in a 
jacket (office blank No. 558) and received the following indorsement: “Credit book, vol. 1, p. 
657, cash No. 5012. L. O , Koseburg, Oreg. Name, Millard S'. Shoemaker. Tract, E. ^ of S. E. J, S. 
E. ^ of N. E. J, and lot 1, see. 2, Tp. 31 S., 11.15 W. I'ebruary, 1882.” At the same time it was en¬ 
tered upon the credit book and placed in the open files awaiting examination. 

On March 23, 1883, Capt. John Mullan filed in the mail-room a motion to have the contested case re- 
oiiened. This motion was regi.stered as No. 28419,1883, and referred to Mr. Seymour of this divis¬ 
ion ; after going on to vol. 31, p. 188, of the division l egister was filed with the case as docket No. 12. 
On April 3,1883, Mr. Seymour iirepared a letter addressed to Capt. John Mullan declining to re¬ 
open the case. This letter passed through the usual cour.se, and is recorded in vol. 61, p. 69, mis¬ 
cellaneous recoid. 

On May 21,1883, Capt. John Mullan filed a motion for certiorari in the office of the Secretary of the In¬ 
terior tinder Rules of Practice 83 and 84. 

On May 24,1883, the apjilication w as allowed, and the Commissioner of the General Land Office directed 
to send up the recoid, the letter receiving docket No. 13. Duffy’s homestead entry was again 
withdrawn trom the public lands division, re-entered on the ciedit book, same volume and page, 
and on the docket, same volume and page, under docket No. 14. 

On May 31, the papers were certified to the Department, and by letters of the same date Captain Mul- 
lan and the local officers at Ro.seburg were advised of such action. These letters are recorded 
volume 61, page 286, miscellaneous record, and volume 17t>, page 431, register and receiver record. 

These papers were received by the Secretary June 11,1883, with letter of May 31, which is entered on 
register 15, page 446. Case entered on appeal docket 3, page 267, anil numbeied 1067. 

July 18, 1883, the cash entry of Shoemaker was transmitted to the Secretary and filed with the case as 
docket No. 15. N ovember 10, 1883, additional papers were transmitted to the Secretary, registered, 
and filed with the case. 

December 1,1883, all papers in the case laid before the assistant attorney general for the Department 
for consideration. December 7, 1883, Commissioner’s decision was affirmed by letter signed by 
Secretary Teller, which with tlie papeis was sent to the General Land Office. This decision di¬ 
rected procedure under decision of November 5, 1881, and was regi.stered in the mail-room as No. 
114620,1883, and was entered in this division, volume 32, i)age 402. By, letters of December 14,1883, 
prepared by Miss Torrey, the local officers at Roseburg and Capt. John Mullan were advised of 
the purport of the Secie'tary’s decision, a copy of the same being transmitted to the local officers. 
Tliese letters are rccoided'in volume 62, page 460, miscellaneous record, and volume 174,page 


452, register and receiver l ecord. 

On March 8, 1884, a letter dated February 28, 1884, from the register at Roseburg, was received, trans 
mitting motion for new' hearing, N^umbered 262269, registered page 219, vol. 33, and filed with 
case as docket No. 16. 

March 26, 1884, in a decision addressed to the register and receiver at Roseburg, and prepared by Mr. 
J. C. Johnston, the motion for rehearing was denied, and Duffy’s homestead entry held for cancel¬ 
lation. April 23, 1884, adverse pre-emption filings were canceled by letter prepared by Mr. John¬ 
ston, recorded vol. 180, page 407. 

April 19, 1884, letter of register, dated April 9, 1884, reporting as to action of other claimants under 
deci.siou of Secretary was received. Numbered 41954, 1884, and registered vol. 33, jtage 387, and 
filed with the case as docket No. 17. „ . , 

On June 5, 1884. an appeal was received from Capt. John Mullan, in behalf of Dufiy, registered as 
58262, and entered on division register 234, page 70, and filed with the case as docket No. 18. June 
6, 1884, Captain Mullan filed certain inclosures in the case, his letter being numbered 58515 and 
registered vol. 34, page 76, in this division, fihd with the ca.se as docket No. 19. On July 28,1884, 
the appeal was returned to Captain Mullan by Miss Torrey with instructions relative thereto. 
Recorded vol. 64, page 445. , , 

September 19, 1884, papers were transmitted to the Secretary by letter, recorded vol. 65, page 166, mis¬ 
cellaneous recoid. At the same time Captain Mullan and the local officers were advised of such 
action by letters recorded in 65, 167, miscellaneous record, and 184, page 44, register and receiver 
record. The papers were received by the Secretary September 23 and entered in register 18, page 
33 Appeal was entered in same docket as before, undei same number, and marked “ resubmitted 
Se'ntember 19, 1884.” On September 24, 1884, all papers in the case laid before the assistant attor- 



this^fivi8ioir re<'isteiT^^ in volume 35, iiage 137, Captain Alullan and register and receiver were 
atlvised of this action by letters dated November 5, 1884, and recorded volume 188, page lOo, mis¬ 
cellaneous i’( cold, and volume 65, page 366, icgi.stcr and receivci’ recoid. ,, 0 .. • i 

December 10 18=4 a letter tvas received fiom Captain Mullan (registered as No. 120648, 1884), incloaing 
a letter fiom lion. Linger Hermann, House of Representatives, asking that all the papers be re¬ 
turned to Roseburg for action, registered volume 35, page 285, and filed with the case as docket 


No. 20. 


228 


THE DErARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


January 5, 1885, register at Eoseburg reports by letter action taken by Dulfy, registwed as No. 5883 
I8ft5, on page 435, volume 35, filed with the case as docket No. 21. 

January 9, 1885, register at Eoseburg, by letter (7338, 1885), requests all papers. Ecgistered in vol¬ 
ume 35, page 443, filed with case as docket No. 22. 

Januaiy 28, 1885, Miss Torrey wrote Captain Mullan (record 66, page 229) the status of the case. 

February 5, 1885, all testimouy was returned to the local otiicers, all papers in the case, with instruc¬ 
tions. Eecorded volume i88, page 367, register and receiver record. Captain Mullan was advised 
hereof same date; letter recorded volume 66, page 270, miscellaneous record. 

By letter of March 2, 1885, received March 19, 1885, and numbered 27748,1885, Joseph A. Cox, of Den¬ 
mark, Oreg., requested to be furnished with a copy of evidence in the case. Eegistered volume 36, 
page 236. I'his letter was answered May 7, 1885, lecorded volume 07, page 198, miscellaneous rec¬ 
ord, and filed with case as docket No, 23. 

By letter of April 26, 1885, register returned contest papers, received in this office May 11, 1885, num¬ 
bered 51523, and registered vol. 40, p. 76. 

May 26,1886, a letter was written by Miss Torrey cancelling the homestead entry of Duffy, and allow¬ 
ing Shoemaker’s cash entry to stand. Mr. Mullen was advised same date. The cancellation of the 
homestead entry was noted on the credit-book and the tract-book, and the homestead entry re¬ 
turned to the files of the public lauds division. The recommendation of this division for patenting 
the cash entry was noted thereon May 26, 1886, and the same is now in the board of review await¬ 
ing final examination. 

The contested case was closed and placed in the “special files.” 

On August 9, 1886, Hon. W. E. Morrison, House of Eepreseutatives, filed certain papers and asked a 
just decision. His letter was received August 10, 1886, numbered 85258, registered vol. 40, p. 436, 
and filed with case as Doc. No. 25. In answer to this Mr. B, F. Crawshaw prepared a letter ad¬ 
vising Mr. Morrison that there was nothing to warrant a change in the decision rendered. Thi.s 
letter is recorded vol. 72. p. 273. miscellaneous record. 

On August 3, 1886, Hon. J. H. Mitchell inclosed an inquiry for Mr. Dufiy, No. 83617. Eeferred to di¬ 
vision C (public, lauds) and then to this division, where it was received August 8, 1886, registered 
an vol. 40, p. 453, filed with case as Doc. No. 26. and answered by Mr. Crawshaw August 19, 1886, 
by inclosing a copy of the letter addressed to Mi'. Morrison. This letter is recorded in vol. 72, j). 
295. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the iire-emptioii division of the General Land Office, 
Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

"s 

pi 

fclOO 

.5* 

CJ 

Ph 

a 
^ .in 

« 

.2 

o 

C/ GO 

JO 

O r-. 

00 

p 

P 

.2^5 

o 

P 

Eeceived dui'- 
ing 1885. 

- — —— F 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending close 
of 1885. 

Ex parte cash entries... 

12, 542 
515 
9, 984 

17, 830 
475 

11,012 

352 

19, 360 
638 
12, 004 

33, 914 
548 

15, 547 
727 

37, 727 
459 

Contested cases. 

Official lettei's received. 

Official letters written. 






Fages recorded... 








Pages copied (not recoided).. 








Town-site entries. 

41 

13 

399 

10 

28 

38 

10 

20 

361 

16 

566 

17 

14 

599 

7 

38 

326 

10 

Town-lot entries. 

Town-site contests. 





Character of business. 

00 

2 ^ 

Q 

a; 

0 . 

to 

r_ 00 

52 

fcX) 

<» a 

c> 

a 

Cm 

o 

5 

§2 

P 

p 

bxco 
a oo 

.S 1-4 

ra - 
p 
<v 

p 

C • 

t> 00 

'S 

O to 
c; a 

p ” 

Or^ 

Ol 'l 

09 CO 

O 00 
!=-=0 

O) 

p 

c 

-g 

OP 

■PiX parte, cash entries. 

37. 727 
459 
15, 300 
13,139 
10, 773 
3,140 

19, 390 
435 

14, 408 
750 

40,622 
144 

18, 230 
297 

10, 030 
386 

45,122 
55 

Onnteste.rl cases . . .. . . 

Official letters received. 

Official lettei s written. 







Pages recorded . 







Pages copied (not recorded). 







Appeals sent to Secretary. .. 







Aiipeals returned from Secretary. 








Cases closed without appeal. 








H'nwn -site entries. .. . 

38 

326 

10 

19 

308 

25 

11 

526 

27 

46 

108 

8 

16 

470 

3 

15 
426 
' 7 

47 

152 

4 

Tow'n-lot entries.. 

Town-site contests. 


All ex parte entries are jacketed, briefed, entered upon a credit book and after final 
disposition charged off of said book. “ Letters written” includes answers to letters 
received as well as decisions in contested and ex parte cases. 











































































Tllii DEPAiitMEN'r op TIIP INTERIOII. 


229 


The foUowiujr stateuient shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specihed by the employes in 
the pre-emption division of the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J lily. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 













Ex parte cases received... 

1, 029 

1,181 

1,504 

1,365 

1,404 

1,679 

2, 882 

2, 508 

2, 579 

1,281 

2,541 

2, 839 

Ex i)arte cases disposed of. 

954 

950 

1,365 

1,104 

i;256 

1,275 

1, 140 

738 

748 

1,067 

i;771 

1,410 

1885. 













Ex parte cases received... 

3,673 

1,323 

2, 222 

3, 536 

2, 398 

2,444 

1, 958 

1, 350 

2, 500 

2, 271 

2, 065 

1,916 

Ex parte cases disposed of 

2, 586 

1,163 

1, 253 

1,530 

1,447 

1,619 

1,924 

1, 025 

1,057 

1,366 

1,467 

1,042 

1886. 













Ex parte cases received... 

1,538 

1,790 

1,807 

1, 593 

1,001 

1,155 

1,474 

1.199 

3, 838 
772 

3,111 

2, 916 

1,054 

E.X parte cases disposed of. 

1, 246 

857 

1,103 

1,144 

786 

698 

595 

550 

997 

418 

573 

1887 (to March 1). 













Ex parte cases received... 

2, 561 

2, 455 











Ex parte cases disposed of. 

i;042 

487 

. 






















V 

No detailed statement by mouths has been kept of the other classes of work in this 
division. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the pre-emption 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

17 

18 

18 

19 

19 

18 

22 

25 

25 

25 

25 

25 

1885. 

25 

24 

23 

22 

22 

22 

23 

24 

20 

25 

25 

27 

1886.. 

26 

26 

29 

29 

20 

26 

26 

27 

27 

28 

30 

29 

1887 (to March 1). 

30 

31 

























No statement of the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during 
the periods sj)ecified in the pre-emption division of the General Land Office, Dcp<art- 
uient of the Interior, can be given. Owing to the varied and technical character of the 
work of this division the comparison cannot bo made, even between two clerks on 
apparently the same class of work. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at. 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, during the periodg 
specified, by the employes in the pre-emption division of the General Laud Office 
Department of the Interior: 


, Tear. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average 
No. of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

Possible 
No. of 
days. 

Average 
No. of 
days lost. 

1884. 

21.25 

272.19 

7 

0 

307 

34. 81 

1885. 

24. 83 

209.20 

7 

0 

301J 
305 

32.24 

1886. 

27. 33 

272. 50 

7 

0 

32. 50 

1887 (te Miireli 1). _ ___ 

30. 75 

45.26 

7 

0 

48 

2. 74 









The official day is from 9 a. in. to 4 p. m. (7 hours), thirty minutes; from 12 to 12.30 
is allowed for lunch, which is very generally availed of by the einploy6s; this would 
bring the average hours of attendance to not exceed 6^ hours jier day. 





























































































230 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following* statement sliows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ<5 present for the least number of days 
in the x>re-emption division of the General Land Office, Departmeut of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

(to March 1). 

Maximum No. of days..... 

2815:1 

273/jf 

279^1 

488 

Minimum No. of days. 

234| 

217i 

183;| 

13i 




SWAMP LAND DIVISION (K). 


Bcport of the swamp-lmid division, General Land Office, on the methods of business and 
u'orTc, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 


The swamp-land division (designated by the initial K) is charged with the adjust¬ 
ment of the claims arising under the acts of Congress by which grants of the swamj) 
and overflowed lands within their respective limits have been made to lifteen of tlie 
l)ublic laud States, and under the acts sniiplemeutal thereto. 

The principal items of business transacted are : 

(1) Recei)tion, examination, and j^lacingof record of the lists of lands selected and 
reported as inuring to said States under the several granting acts. 

(2) Determining from the evidence forming the basis of adjustment of these claims, 
and from an examination of the records, which of the tracts so selected and rex)orte(l 
pass to the States under the grants ; preparation of lists of such tracts for aiiiuoval 
by the Secretary of the Interior, and issuing and recording i)atents for the same to 
the j)roper State. 

(3) Adjustment of claims of the States to the indemnity provided by law for swamj) 
and overflowed lands sold by the United States or located with warrants or scrip. 

(4) Deciding conflicts which arise between claims under other laws or grants, and 
claims under the swamji-land acts. 

(5) Preparation, recording, indexing, and care of correspondence, decisions, papers, 
records, and other matters relating to claims arising under said acts. 

The acts of Congress relating to swamp and overflowed lands are: 


March 2,1849, U. S. Stats., Vol. 9, p. 252. 

September 28, 1850, U. S. Stats., Vol. 9, p. 519. 
March 2,1855, U. S. Stats., Vol. 10, p. 034. 

March 3, 1857, D. S. Stats., Vol. 11, p. 251. 

March 12,1860. D. S. Stats., Vol. 12, p. 3. 

July 2.3, 1866, U. S. Stats., Vol. 14, p. 218 (secs. 4 
and 5), 


March 5,1872, U. S. Stats., Vol. 17, p. 37. 
Decembei 27,1872, U. S. Stats.. Vol. 17, p. 404. 
June 23,1874, U. S. Stats., Vol. 18, p. 282. 
February 23,1875, IT. S. Stats., Vol. 19, i). 334. 
March 3,1877, U. S, Stats., Vol. 19, p. 395. 
June 9,1880, IT. S. Stats., Vol. 21, ]». 171. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the swamp-land 
(K) division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, in¬ 
cluding one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said di¬ 
vision, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the General Land 
Office, and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of 
such principal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, 
and the employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is consid¬ 
ered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same 
is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 


Sample item. — Swamp-land list, act of 1850. 

JuBe 13, 1885, William W. Hicks, IT. S. surveyor-general for the district of Florida, transmits list No 
31 of swamp-land selections made by John A. Henderson, agent of the State of Florida under act 
of September 28,1850. Said letter and list upon receipt by the chief clerk of the General Land 



to whom assigned in the register of letters received in the swamp land division Vol 6 p 34 de 
livered the pap«rs to said clerk. Mr. Wind liled the letter among the letters receiWd touching 
lands in Florida, noted this filing on the register of letters received, and transferred the list to 
George H. Phillips, posting clerk, by whom the descriptions of the tracts of land embraced therein 
amounting to 98,62o.27 acres, number of list and date of surveyor-general’s report of same were 
recorded in the records of Florida swamp-land selections, Vol. 14, pages 1 to 22 inclusive ’ The 
record was duly compared and indexed by townships and ranges, and the list retui-ned to the clerk 
to whom it was originally assigned by the chief of the division. 
















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


231 


Mr. W iud prepared a letter addre.ssed to J. W. Childa, a special agent of this ofHco then in Florida, 
transmitting a copy of said list made in the division, and directing him ro make an examination in 
the field of the tracts of land desciibed therein, and to report to this otfico the character of each 
smallest legal subdivision thereof as found by him on such examination, in accordance with in¬ 
structions theretofore given him. This letter, after being examined by the chief of the division 
and the examiners of decisions, and signed by lion. William Walker, Acting Commissioner, August 
13,1885, w'as press-copied in Vol. 50,[division K, and forwarded (with tho copy of the list) by mail 
to Special Agent Childs at Palatka, Fla. This letter was duly recorded in the division record of 
letters, Vol. 53. 

The original list was sent to the division of public lands (C) to have the claim of the State to said 
land posted on the tract-books of the office. This work was completed and tho list returned, with 
a statement fo that efi'ect, August 29, 1885. The posting clerk in division C also noted such 
conflicting claims as were on the tract-books. With letter dated August 29,1885. Special Agent 
Childs submitted a detailed report showing the character of each tract of the land in the list, as 
found by^ him from examination in the field, and his letter and report went through the same proc¬ 
ess of registry' and assignment heretofore described, being numbered 87,818.* 

Another list embracing 78,694.57 acres of land desciibed in the original list, which had been reported 
swamp and overflowed land by the special agent, andfor which no adverse claims were found upon 
further examination of the records of tho office, was prepared by the clerk in charge of the otigmal 
list. To this new list, designated as No. 38 “of swamp and overflowed landsselected as inuringto 
the State of Florida under tho provisions of tho act of Congress approved September 28,1850, sec¬ 
tion 2479, llevised Statutes, in the district of lands subject to sale at Gainesville, formerly at Tampa, 
Fla.,” was attached the certificate of Mr. Wind, dated September 26,1885, countersigned by the 
chief of the division, reciting that the tracts described therein had been duly selected and 
reported to this office as swamp land inuring to said State under the act of 1850; that Special Agent 
Childs had reported that he had made a personal examination thereof, and that they are swamp 
and overflowed land ; and that from an examination of the tract-books of this office said land ap¬ 
pears to be free from conflict by sale or otherwise. Followingthis is the recommendation of Will¬ 
iam A. J. Sparks, Commissioner of the General Land Otiice, to the Hon. Secretary of the Interior, 
dated October 5, 1885, for the approval of the list. On the same day the honorable Commissioner 
signed a letter to the Secretary of the Interior, prepared by Mr. Wind and examined as before 
stated, repeating the statements and the recommendation for approval of said list above recited. 
This letter, af ter being press-copied and properly briefed, was, with the list referred to, sent by 
nwissenger to tho chief clerk of the Interior Department. The letter was duly rectvrded in the 
division records as before mentioned. The letter and list were duly numbered and registered in 
the division of lands and railroads in the Department of the Interior, where the letter remains on 
file. After examination by Arthur Martin, clerk, and J. McMurray, chief of said division, said 
list No. 38 was, on October 7, 1875, approved “subject to any valid adverse rights that may exist to 
any of the lands therein described,” by Hon. H. L. Muldrow, Acting Secretary of the Interior, and 
returned to this office, where it was legistered, referred, and assigned the same as the papers be¬ 
fore mentioned. The approval by tho Secretary, with date thereof and number ot tho list, were 
notedopposite the tracts included in this approved list, on tho swamp-land selection records of the 
division, tho work being completed October 15,1885, by Mr. Wind. Two copies prepared in the 
division and certified by the Commissioner October 19,1885, were forwarded by mail with the Com¬ 
missioner’s letters of same date to the governor of Florida and register and receiver of the United 
States land office at Gainsville, Fla. The governor was requested to acknowledge receipt of the 
copy sent him and to transmit his request for tho issue of patent to the State for the lands. The 
register and receiver were directed to enter the tracts described in the copy of the list sent them 
in their tract-books and township plats, and report at once to this oflice whether or not the same 
were free from conflict by sale or otherwise. These letters were prepared, press-copied, and re¬ 
corded in the divLsion. The approved list was sent to division “ C ” where, on October 28, 1885, 
tho work of noting the approval opposite the lands in tho tract-books was completed, after which 
said list was returned to this division. 

By letter dated October 23,1885, Hon. E. A. Perry, governor of Florida, acknowledged receipt of the 
certified copy sent him as above, and asked that patent issue to tho State for the land described 
therein. This letter was received October 26, 1885, was registered, numbered, assigned, noted, and 
filed as in case of those heretofore mentioned. 

By letter dated October 26, 1885, received on the 29th of the same month, the register and receiver at 
Gainesville reported that they had entered the tracts described in the copy of tho list sent them, 
as above, on their records, and that they found the same free from conflict by sale or otherwise, 
with certain specified exceptions. After registry, reference, and assignment in the regular way 
this letter was duly noted and filed by the clerk in charge of the list. 

A patent to the State embracing the tracts of land in said approved list No. 38, to which no other claims 
appeared of record here or in tho local office, amounting to 74,936.94 acres, was prepared by Mr. 
Wind and submitted for the signatures of the President’s secretary to sign land patents and the 
recorder of the General Land Office, with letters (also prepared, examined, press-copied, and re¬ 
corded as in cases previously noted) signed by the Commissioner November 9, 1885. This patent, 
numbered 41, and dated November 9, 1885, was signed as requested, and returned to this division 
by-messenger from the recorder of the General Laud Office. 

Notes showing the number and date of said patent were then made opposite each of the tracts em¬ 
braced therein on the record of swamp-land selections, the patent was recorded in Vol. 1 of the 
record of swamp lauds patented to tho State of Florida, pages 171 to 185, inclusive, in this division, 
and the record duly compared and indexed. As soon as this work was completed, a letter trans¬ 
mitting said patent to the governor of Florida was prepared by Mr. Wind, examined as before 
mentioned, signed by the Commissioner November 14,1885, and after being pres.s-copied was for¬ 
warded (with the patent) by mail. This letter w’as also recorded the same as those heretofore 
mentioned. ^ . . 

Receipt of said patent was acknowledged by the governor of Florida in his letter to the Commissioner, 
dated November 18,1885, which, after the regular routine of registry and reference, was noted and 
placed on file with the other letters relating to swamp lands in said State. 

A detailed statement of tho steps necessary in the adjustment of a claim for indemnity for swamp 
lands, whether in money or other land, would re(iuire more space than is given tho foregoing 
claim’for lands in place, while the details of an ordinary contested swamp-land case would occupy 
about one-half that space. 

Note. _As a result of this examination and report, the claim of the State to nearly 11,000 acres em_ 

braced in the original li.st of selections, found not to be swamp or overflowed land, has been re 
jected and the laud restored to settlement and entry under tho pre-emption and homestead laws' 


* See note at the end of this statement. 









232 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


Statement showing the amount and chaiacter of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed of, at the dates 
specified below in the swamp-laud division of the General Laud Office, Department 
of the Interior. 

Up to January 1, 1884, the amount of lauds claimed under the swamp-laud grants 
was 71,588,756.45 acres, of which 54,508,517.35 acres had been patented to the several 
States, the remainder being made up of duplicate selections, lands disyjosed of to 
individuals or under other grants, lands for which indemnity has been allowed, or is 
claimed, or lands for which the claims of the States have been rejected. 

The actual amouut of land for which claims remain to be adjusted, or for which 
indemnity may be claimed at any particular date, cannot be stated. 

Since January 1, 1884, up to March 1, 1887, the selections received and the amounts 
jjatented to the States during the calendar years are as follows : 


Tear. 

Selected. 

Patented. 

1884. 

Acres. 
1,113,761.19 
2, 740,256. 92 
1,840,441. 34 
23, 740. 28 

Acres. 

1, 422, 259. 77 
693,936. 23 
6/, 707.42 
1, 699. 46 

1 

1885. 

1886. 

1887... 



Up to January 1,1884, indemnity for swamp lands had been allowed as follows: In 
money, |1,‘252,403.U1; in land, 601,217.92 acres. Since that date to March 1, 1887, the 
allowance made of indemnity by calendar years is— 


Year. 

In money. 

In land. 

1884. 

$72,058 92 
53,777 69 
101.763 89 
10, 207 14 

Acres. 
26,438. 79 
52, 96.5. 23 
4^ 985. 17 
558.19 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 



The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes in 
the swamp-laud division of the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior : 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Character of business. 



Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sejit. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

Letters received. 

178 

182 

144 

172 

163 

127 

151 

178 

154 

145 

141 

179 

Letters written. 

187 

159 

126 

127 

110 

128 

146 

99 

170 

173 

148 

218 

Pages of letter record 
covered. 

146 

123 

94 

100 

78 

97 

123 

72 

144 

136 

108 

160 

Lists prepared for ap¬ 
proval . . 

3 

4 

4 

11 

6 

5 

4 

1 

6 

9 

4 

11 

Certified copies of lists 
prepaied by the gov¬ 
ernors of States and 
local land oflicers. 

6 

8 

7 

22 

12 

10 

8 

2 

12 

17 

8 

21 

Patents executed. 

2 

2 

4 

5 

5 

5 

3 

2 

7 

6 

9 

9 

Pages of patent record 
covered.. 

10 

2 

4 

21 

8i 


7 

7 

7 

23 

29 

35 

Tracts upon which 
claims for indemnity 
have been adjusted.... 

106 

113 

174 

587 

297 

554 

476 


273 

186 

159 

N u m her of contested 
cases decided. 

18 

8 

4 

10 

7 

12 

14 

12 

15 

18 

17 

9 

Entries and locations 
held for cancellation 
for conflict with claims 
under swamp grant.... 

7 

3 

1 

3 

3 

2 



2 

4 

5 

53 

Certified copies prepared 
for individuals. 

3 

5 



3 

5 

2 

1 

3 

3 


5 

Claims under railroad 
grant held for rejection 
for conflict with claims 
under swamp grant.... 



1 




8 








































































THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


233 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Character of business. 


1884, 

Claims under swamp 
grant held for rejection 
Hearings ordered to de¬ 
termine the character 

of land. 

Swampland indemnity 
certificates issued. 

1885. 

Letters received. 

Letters written. 

Pages of letter record 

covered. 

Lists prepared for ap¬ 
proval . 

Certified copies of lists 
prepared for govern¬ 
ors of States and local 

laud officers. 

Patents executed. 

Pages of patent record 

covered. 

Tracts upon, which claims 
for indemnity have 

been adjusted. 

Number of contested 

ca-ses decided. 

Entries and locations 
held for cancellation 
for conflict with claims 
under swamp grant... 
Certified copie'^ prepared 

for individuals. 

Claims under railroad 
grant held for rejection 
for conflict with claims 
under swamp grant.... 
Claims under the swamp 
grant held for rejectio.i 
Hearings ordered to de¬ 
termine chai’acter of 

lands. 

Swamp-land indemnity 
certificates issued. 

1886. 

Letters received. 

Letiers writteu. 

Pages of letter record 

covered . 

Lists prepared for ap¬ 
proval . 

Certified copies of lists 
prepared for governors 
o f States and local land 

officers. 

Patents executed . 

Pages of patent record 

covered . 

Tracts upon which claims 
for indemnity have been 

adjusted. 

Number of contested 

cases decided. 

Entries and locations held 
for cancellation for con¬ 
flict with claims under 

swamp grant .. 

Certified copies prepared 

for individuals .. 

Claims under railroad 
grant held for rejection 
for conflict with claims 

under swamp grant- 

Claims under swamp 
grant held for rejection. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr, 

May. 

J une. 

July.! 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

9 

1 

4 

2 

4 

3 

7 

7 

1 

6 

4 

10 

16 

8 

5 

1 

3 

4 

4 

6 

15 

6 

12 

22 


2 

2 

4 

4 

2 

3 



2 


1 

151 

180 

186 

207 

185 

202 

181 

204 

174 

205 

174 

200 

166 

122 

193 

139 

219 

179 

228 

164 

110 

227 

131 

130 

138 

92 

134 

114 

189 

141 

160 

140 

88 

178 

118 

104 

2 

8 

10 

1 

4 

4 

3 

5 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

16 

20 

2 

8 

8 

6 

10 

2 

2 

2 

2 

5 

3 

14 

4 

3 

6 

7 

6 

7 

6 

5 

3 

24 

9| 

27 

4 

8 

7 

40J 

n 

11 

16i 

21 

5 

14 

617 

710 


132 

132 

262 

129 


811 

32 


25 

7 

19 

15 

50 

29 

39 

27 

22 

42 

17 

16 

18 

2 

8 

2 

10 

2 

7 

5 

6 

14 

7 

1 


1 


2 

1 

2 

4 


1 

1 





2 

1 

2 



1 




1 

5 

2 

5 

2 

12 

7 

15 

12 

2 

19 

1 

6 

9 

6 

7 

16 

27 

13 

14 

8 

11 

65 

51 

21 


2 

1 


1 

2 

3 

2 


2 

3 


232 

220 

224 

297 

217 

260 

205 

197 

198 

221 

222 

•.’18 

156 

184 

151 

186 

263 

274 

164 

158 

189 

188 

177 

221 

138 

156 

208 

167 

210 

226 

155 

144 

156 

178 

84 

154 

5 


2 

3 

7 

2 

1 

1 

2 

0 

2 

1 

10 


4 

6 

14 

4 

2 

2 

4 


4 

2 


7 

2 

10 

11 

1 


3 


1 

6 



12i 

5 

17 

12 

2 


4 


1 

13i 

43 

509 

316 

1, 006 

416 

493 

413 

325 

23 

142 

147 

55 

38 

33 

38 

76 

26 

41 

19 

32 

28 

34 

32 

57 

1 


2 

2 

1 

3 

1 

2 

1 

3 

11 


2 



6 

1 


1 


1 

2 


1 

2 

2 

3 

1 









7 

10 

16 

2 

9 

20 

24 

15 

10 

20 

17 

11 





























































































234 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1886. 

Hearings ordered to de¬ 
termine character of 

la.Tiil ____ 

18 

2 

228 

153 

136 

14 

4 

171 

175 

158 

5 

9 

3 

3 

15 

76 

2 

1 

90 

1 

9 

7 

14 

6 

27 

8 

21 

4 

18 

4 

17 

1 

14 

1 

41 

4 

7 

2 

Swamp-land indemnity 
certificates issued. 

1887. 












Pages of letter record 











Lists prepared for ap- 











Certified copies of lists 
prepared for governors 
of States and local land 













1 

2 

27 

156 

1 

1 











Pages of patent record 






' 





Number of contested 











Tracts upou which claims 
for indemnity have been 











Ent ries and locationsheld 
for cancellation for con¬ 
flict with claim under 

o^rnTit. 











Certified copies prepared 











Claims under railroad 
grant held for rejection 
for conflict with claims 
under swamp grant... 
Claims under swamp 
grant held for rejection 
Hearings ordered to de¬ 
termine character of 
land. 











27 

18 

1 

14 

7 





















Swamp-laud indemnity 
certificates issued__ 
























The following is a summary of the more important work done in the swamp-land 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the years 
named: 


Character of business. 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Jan. and 
Feb. of 
1887. 

Letters received. 

1,914 

2, 249 

2,711 

399 

Letters written. 

1,791 

2, 008 

2,311 

328 

Pages of letter record covered. .. 

1, 381 

1, 596 

1,976 

294 

Lists prepared for approval. 

68 

41 

26 

5 

Certified copies of lists prepared and transmitted to the gover¬ 
nors of the several States and land offices. 

133 

82 

52 

9 

Patents ejiecuted. 

- 59 

69 

41 

4 

Pages of patent record covered. 

160 

181 

67 

5 

Tracts upon which claims for indemnity have been adjusted. 

2, 925 

2, 539 

3, 888 

232 

Number of contested cases decided. 

144 

308 

454 

42 

Entries and locations heldforcancellationfor conflicts with claims 
under the swamp grant. 

83 

82 

27 

3 

Certified copies prepared for individuals... 

30 

12 

14 

2 

Claims under railroad grant held for rejection for conflict with 
claims under the swamp grant. 

9 

7 

7 


Claims under swamp grant held for rejection. 

58 

88 

161 

41 

Hearing oi dered to determine the character of laud . 

102 

248 

290 

25 

Swamp laud indemnity certificates issued. 

20 

16 

44 

1 























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


235 


The following statement shows the average number of emplo,v<5s in clie swamp-land 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 



No record of the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and dis¬ 
posed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least has been 
kept. In a general way an individual work list has been kept, but more as an index 
to the nature of the work performed than to the quantity. Comparisons cannot be 
made between the work of two clerks, inasmuch as no two clerks in this division are 
engaged on the same work. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to adjusting the swamp-land grants of March 2, 1849, September 28, 
1850, and March 12, 1860, during the periods specified, by the employes in the swamp¬ 
land division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior: 


Tear. 

Number of 
employes. 

t 

Average 
number of days 
present. 

Average num¬ 
ber of boui’S em¬ 
ployed daily. 

Number of 
working days. 

Average days 
absent. 

1884 . 

8 

274.75 

7 

307 

32i 

284- 

1885 . 

9 

273.28 

7 

.304 

305 

1886. 

10 

273. 60 

7 

31is 

1887 (to March 1). 

10 

45.50 

7 

7 

48 

2i 


The official day is from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. (seven hours), but thirty minutes at noon 
is allowed employes for lunch, which is almost universally availed of, thus making 
the hours of actual daily attendance six and one-half hours. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to adjusting 
swamp-land claims by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also 
the minimum number of days by the employ^ present for the least number of days in 
the swamp-land division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 


' 

1884. 

1885. 

1887. 

1887 

(to March 1). 


279. 94 

282. 43 

280. 00 

48 


258. 95 

257.48 

264. 95 

37 






DRAUGHTING DIVISION. 

Eeport ofilie draughting division, General Land Office, on the methods of business and work 
as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1877. 

In this division is performed all the general draughting required by the General Land 
Office. It consists of the platting of all surveys of public lands; the recomputation 
of areas consequent upon the relotting of accretions and detrition. It has the custody 
of all official plats and maps of survey and field notes relating thereto. Maps of the 
United States and the various land States and Territories are compiled in this divis- 
sion from official surveys for publication. Copies of maps and plats are prepared for 
individuals upon payment of the proper legal fee therefor, and where the plats of 
local land offices become so worn and defaced as to be useless, tracings from the orig¬ 
inals are made to be furnished to the contractors for reproducing such plats by photo- 
' lithography. 

As the plats of survey of public lands are received and approved the same are placed 
upon a working diagram of the State or Territory in which the same are located for, 
























































23 G 


THJ2 DEPARTMEN'f OP TItE INTERIOR. 


current use. Upou the receipt of maps filed by railroad companies showing location 
of route, they are compared with the official plats to determine their accuracy, aud 
whether the laws have been complied with, and to ascertain if there is any couliict 
with the privileges granted or inchoate claims. Thereupon the proper boundaries 
of location are indicated and maps sent to the various local land offices for their guid¬ 
ance in receiving applications for lands. Maps of private land grants of every de¬ 
scription are here compiled from the records of survey, that the same may be jiroperly 
adjusted and the interests of the Government protected. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the draughting 
division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the General Land Office, and 
then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such prin¬ 
cipal business matters through the aiipropiiate divisions of said office, and ihe i 
employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by eaidi, until the same is finally : 
disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Take as an illustration the construction of a map of a State or Territory : 

First, the geographical extent of the State or Territory is examined ; after which a ; 
convenient scale is decided upon, usually 8 or 10 miles to an inch, but varying ac¬ 
cording to the greater or less extent of the area. A polyconic projection is then com¬ 
puted and verified ; after which measurements for the projection which forms the base 
for th(} map are laid upon a sheet of paper and tested. The next step is to draw upon 
the projection the townships and ranges by the measurements as th(‘y appear of rec¬ 
ord on the official plats. After which the topographical features, streams, swamps, 
towns, mountain ranges, &c., are shown upon the map in complete detail as de¬ 
lineated upon the official records. In cases where the boundaries (particularly in the 
Western States and Territories) are not indicated with sufficient clearness upon the 
detached surveys in the General Land Office, reference is made to the astrouomiciil 
surveys of the proper various scientific dei>artinents of the Government for aid, and 
usually the very excellent determinations of the United States Coast Survey are 
availed of for coast lines. Additional detail is obtained from other authentic sources. 
Such a map in manuscript is kept in the General Laud Office and used as the working 
diagram referred to in sheet 13. It is then accurately traced, made full and complete 
and the tracings examined; aud when verified it is sent to a successful bidder for 
such work, who makes the ordered reduction by jihotolithography, generally issuing 
the map on a scale of from 12 to 15 miles per inch, and in such quantities as may bo 
ordered, after proofs have been forwarded here aud corrected. 

When the maps are received they are counted aud the execution examined to see 
whether the number specified have been sent, and whether the grade of paper and 
workmanship arc equal to the terms of the contract. If so, the maps are accepted 
and ready for distribution. 

Take a railroad map sent by an incorporated railroad comjiany for file aud privil¬ 
eges under Congressional enactment : 

It is referred to the draughting division for examination and report. The sections, 
townships, aud ranges and topography as dawn upon the company’s map are com¬ 
pared with the corresponding plats of surveys on file in the draughting division. 
Then are noted whether connections with corners of public surveys (that is, at what 
distance from them) are made and properly indicated ui)ou the map ; how said road 
crosses standard parallels and guide meridians; when aud how, if at all, the route 
crosses military or Indian reservations. Whether the route passes over the route of 
a rival company, which has had privileges earlier granted it. Then the location of 
the stations is examined to learn whether the same are the required 10 miles apart. 
The area of said station grounds is computed to determine whether there be an excess 
of 20 acres permitted by the Government. After having proved that all these statu¬ 
tory requirements have been met ill good faith and the route been proved to agieo 
with official records on file in the draughting division of the General Land Offic^, or 
whether the contrary is a fact, the report is made accordingly. The route is then 
platted upou a diagraui kept for that purpose aud for reference in draughting divis¬ 
ion. Then the map, with the report, is sent to the railroad division, where it is finally 
disposed of. 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


287 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates S})ecified below, in the draughting division of the Gi neral Laud Office, 
Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 


Maps of Railroads examined and 

reported, on. . 

Maps of Railroads examined for 
designation of land districts.... 

Copies of Railroad maps. 

Maps of private claims furnished. 

Miscellaneous drawings, &c. 

Maps of land grants to rail¬ 
roads made. 

Copies of township surveys made 
Maps of Indian reservations made. 
Maps of military reservations 

made.. 

Volumes of field-notes prepared 

for binding. 

Volumes township plats prepared 

for binding . 

Miscellaneous maps consti’ucted.. 
Township plats classified and 

filed. 

Tracings for reproduction of worn 

records verified. 

Plats of surveys furnished appli¬ 
cants. ... 

Tracings of defaced and worn re¬ 
cords for reproduction, made 

and verified. 

State and Territorial maps com¬ 
piled and traced for photolithog¬ 
raphy . 

Revision of United States map ... 
Plats examined and colored. 


Amount pending on Jan. 
1,1884. 

Amount received during 
calendar year 1884. 

Amount transacted and 
disposed of during calen¬ 
dar year 1884. 

Amount received during 

calendar year 1885. 

Amount tiansacted and 

disposed of during cal- 

year 1885. 

Amount received during 

calendar year 1886. 

Amount transacted and 

disposed of during calen¬ 

dar year 1886. 

Amount received during 

calendar year 1887, end¬ 

ing March 1. 

Amount transacted and 

disposed of during calen¬ 

dar year 1887, ending 
March 1. 

Amount on .land, pending, 

ajid undisposed of at close ' 

of tlio calendar year 1887, 

ending Maich, 1. 

35 

177 

212 

62 

62 

504 

504 

97 

96 

1 

3 

146 

149 

41 

41 

350 

350 

53 

53 


2 

32 

34 

59 

59 

102 

102 

19 

19 


1 

118 

119 

50 

50 

56 

5(j 

7 

6 

1 

10 

250 

260 

278 

278 

575 

575 

115 

115 


4 

68 

72 

82 

82 

66 

66 

7 

7 


0 

184 

184 

195 

195 

207 

207 

6 

6 


0 

28 

28 

5 

5 

60 

60 

2 

2 


0 

10 

10 

32 

32 

18 

18 

4 

4 


0 

55 

55 

317 

317 

213 

213 

75 

75 


0 

64 

64 

58 

58 

112 

112 

4 

4 


0 

51 

51 

40 

40 

71 

71 

10 

10 







130, 000 

130, 000 

0 

0 







1,102 

1,102 

77 

77 


1 

1, 841 

1, 842 

986 

989 

972 

972 

392 

392 







169 

169 

77 

77 


0 

6 

6 

7 

7 

7 

7 

1 

1 

• 

0 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 









830 

830 

50 

50 


1 











Note.— During the mouth of January and Febr uary 1887, 5 State and Territorial maps were being 
compiled and prepared for publication, but not co mplbted on March 1. 

The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employtSs in 
the draughting division of the General Laud Office, De partment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

Maps of railroads exam¬ 
ined and reported on... 

70 

4 

45 

8 

0 

11 

26 

0 

20 

13 

15 

0 

Maps of railroads exam¬ 
ined for elesignation of 
land districts. 

32 

3 

14 

37 

3 

5 

15 

17 

0 

6 

5 

12 

Copies or lailroad maps.. 

2 

6 

4 

7 

2 

3 

2 

0 

0 

0 

3 

5 

Maps of private claims 
furnished. 

7 

14 

29 

11 

13 

3 

5 

22 

5 

■4 

1 

5 

Miscellaneous draw¬ 
ings, &c. 

98 

36 

18 

19 

15 

13 

10 

8 

8 

5 

19 

11 

^laps of laud grants to 
railroads made. 

13 

3 

9 

0 

2 

4 

5 

18 

1 

10 

0 

7 

Copies of township sur¬ 
veys made. 

3 

28 

30 

6 

5 

58 

6 

21 

16 

0 

3 

8 

Maps of Indian reserva- 
vations made. 

2 

1 

0 

10 

1 

4 

3 

5 

2 

0 

0 

0 




































































































238 


THE DEPARTMENT OF TPIE INTERIOR 


Character of business. 


1884. 

Maps of military reserva¬ 
tions made. 

Volumes of field-notes 
prepared for binding... 
Volumes of township 
plats prepared for bind¬ 
ing . 

Miscellaneous maps con¬ 
structed . . 

Township plats classified 

and filed''. 

Tracings for repioduc- 
tion of worn records 

verified*. 

Plats of surveys fur¬ 
nished applicants. 

Tracings of defaced and 
woin records for re¬ 
production, made and 

verified*. 

State and Territorial 
maps compiled and 
traced for photolithog¬ 
raphy .. 

Revision of United States 


Jan. 


maj) 


1880 


Maps of railroads exam¬ 
ined and reported on... 
Maps of l ailroads exam¬ 
ined for designation of 

land districts. 

Copies of railroad maps.. 
Maps of private claims 

furnished . 

Miscellaneous draw¬ 
ings, &c. 

Maps of land grants to 

railroads made. 

Copies of township sur¬ 
veys made. 

Maps of Indian reserva¬ 
tions made. 

Maps of military reserva¬ 
tions made. 

Volumes of field notes 
prepared forbinding... 
Volumes of township 
plats prepared for bind¬ 
ing . 

Miscellaneous maps con¬ 
structed . 

Township plats classified 

and filed*. 

Tracings for leproduc- 
tion of worn records 

verified*. 

Plats of surveys fur¬ 
nished applicants. 

Tracings of defaced and 
worn records for re¬ 
production made and 

verified'^ . 

State an d Territorial 
maps compiled and 
traced for iihotolithog- 

raphy . 

Manuscript United 
States map comiiared.. 

188G. 

Maps of rairoads exam¬ 
ined and reported on... 
Maps of railioads exam¬ 
ined for designation of 

land districts. 

Copies of railroad maps.. 
Maps of private claims 

furnished. 

Miscellaneous drawings, 
&c. 


Feb. Mar. 


1 

0 

25 

0 


Apr. 


186 


213 455 


4 

4 

4 

14 

4 

12 

2 

1 

66 

0 

7 


73 


1 

0 

42 

16 

16| 

6 * 

68 ^ 


May. 


27 


481 


0 

o' 

40: 

62 

17 

13 

198 


1 

0 

14 

7 

5 

3 

38 

1 

6 
0 

8 
77 

0 

14 


June. 


July. 


88 


1 

0 

0 

10 


Aug. 


Sept. *Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


30 


1 

0 

15! 

11 

3 

4 
21 

6 

14 

0 

0 

55 

0 

0 


34 


4 

7 

3 

3 

3 

26 

2 

1 

0 

0 

1 


504 


D 

3 

5 

35 

15 

4 
0 
0 
0 

0 

0 


348 


319 


1 

0 

36 

6 

5 

6 

55! 


0 

16 

6 

72 

11 

25 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 


24 


0 

0 

0 

14 


0 

4 

2 

10 

4 

14 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 


14 


1 

0 

70 

40 

10 

5 

63 


No record. 






























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


239 


Character of business. 


1886. 

Maps of land grants to 

railroads made. 

Copies of township sur¬ 
veys made . 

Maps of Indian reserva¬ 
tions made. 

^laps of military reser¬ 
vations made. 

Volumes of field-notes 
prepared for binding .. 
Volumes -of township 
plats prepared for bind¬ 
ing . 

Miscellaneous maps con¬ 
structed . 

Townshi]) plats classified 

and filed. 

Tracings for reproduc¬ 
tion of worn records 

verified. 

Plats of surveys fur¬ 
nished applicants.... 
Tracings of defaced and 
worn records for repro¬ 
duction made and veri¬ 
fied . 

State and Territo rial 
maps compiled and 
traced for photolithog¬ 
raphy . 

lie vision of United States 

map. 

Plats examined and col¬ 
ored . 


1887. 

Maps of railroads exam¬ 
ined and repoi'ted on .. 
Maps of lailroads exam¬ 
ined for designation of 

land districts. 

Copies of railroad maps.. 
Maps of ]>rivate claims 

furnished. 

Miscellaneous drawings, 

&c. 

Maps of land grants to 

railroads made.. 

Copies of township sur¬ 
veys made . 

Maps of Indian reserva¬ 
tions made. 

Maps of military reser¬ 
vations made. 

Volumes of field-notes 
prepared for binding .. 
Volumes . of township 
plats prepared for bind¬ 
ing . 

Miscellaneous maps con¬ 
structed . 

Township plats classified 

and filed. 

Tracings for reproduc¬ 
tion of worn records 

verified. 

Plats of surveys fur¬ 
nished applicants. 

Tracings of defaced and 
worn records for repro¬ 
duction made and veri¬ 
fied . 

State and Territorial 
maps compiled and 
traced for photolithog¬ 
raphy . 

Plats examined and col¬ 
ored . 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

9 

7 

21 

7 

3 

7 

6 

2 

0 

1 

0 

3 

19 

17 

12 

32 

30 

10 

16 

22 

■ 7 

26 

8 

8 

1 

0 

2 

52 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

3 

1 

2 

2 

0 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

0 

0 

7 

47 

0 

53 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

113 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

15 

10 

a 

35 

b 

48 

0 

0 

1 

7 

8 

5 

10 

6 

4 

9 

2 

8 

5 

6 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

23, 000 

29, 000 

20, 000 

32, 000 

26, 000 

0 

0 

0 

195 

245 

180 

260 

222 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

42 

143 

10 

200 

3 

20 

50 

5 

80 

201 

150 

68 

0 

31 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

33 

60 

45 

1 

0 

0 

1 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

1 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

C9 

75 

72 

81 

45 

73 

81 

45 

} . 

72 

69 

75 

73 

34 

63 











32 

21 











2 

17l. 










2 

5 











72 

43 











7 

0 











3 

3 











2 

0 











1 

3 











0 

75 











0 

4 











0 

10 











0 

0 











25 

52 











170 

222 











31 

46 


- 









0 

1 











23 

27 






















Note.— During the months of January and February five State and Tenitorial maps were being 
compiled and prepared for publication, but not completed op March 1. 



























































































240 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the a verage number of employes in the draughting 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 

specified: 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

1S84 . 

12. 38 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

12 

13 

14 

16. 80 

1885 . 

15. 69 

16 

16.08 

16 

16 

16 

16.54 

17 

1886. 

16. 36 

16 

16 

16 

15. 88 

14. 61 

14 

14 

14 

1887 (to March 1). 

14 

14 





_ 

_ 

— 


Oct. 

Nov. 

14 

17 

14 

15 

16.54 
13. 87 




Dec. 


15 

16 
14 


There is no means of accurately determining the maximum and minimum amount of 
business transacted and disposed of by employes. Reference to character ^si- 
uess ” shows that the work is various, all pertaining, however, to drawings, maps, 
and calculations. No two or more clerks are engaged upon work identical in charac¬ 
ter, but record of work done by each is kept. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the draughting division ot the General Land Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior u 


Year. 

Number 
of em- 
ploy6s. 

Average 
number 
of (laya 
present. 

Average 
number of 
hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 

by 

proxy. 

Possible 
number o< 
days. 

Average 
number of 
days 
absent. 

1 QC/1 .. 

12.94 

267.23 

7 


307 

39. 77 

*1 __ - 

16.30 

266. 78 

7 


301i 

34. 72 

1 Qoa 

14.89 

274.16 

7 


305 

30.84 


14 

46. 06 

7 


48 

1. 94 








The official dav is from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m., but from 12 m. to 12.30 p. m. is allowed 
for lunch, which"is almost universally availed of by the employes, thus reducing the 
average hours of attendance to not exceeding 6^. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devo'tod to business by 
the employ^ present for the greatest number of days and also the minimum number 
of days devoted to business by the employ6 present for the least number of days in 
the draughting division of the General Land Office, Depaitment of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 


----- ^ 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 


279. 46 
235. 36 

280. 71 
232. 71 

294. 40 
261. 94 

48 

28. 89 




ACCOUNTS DIVISION. 


Beport of the accounts division of the General Land Office on the methods of business and 
uwrkfas requested hij Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular of 
March. 23, 1887. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the accounts divis- i 
ion of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. * 


Adjustment of accounts of receivers; of receivers, acting as disbursing agents; of 
receivers, timber depredations; survey ors-general; special agents; inspectors; de¬ 
puty surveyors; custodians of abandoned military reservation ; express comxiauies, 
depot’g; for repayment purchase money; for transportation; for advertising; for 
fiirnisiiing maps ; for law books, &c.; of State fund accounts. 
































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


241 


Record of all appropriations, and a ledger account with each. 

Advances of public funds. 

Receipt, examination, and distribution of every entry of the public lands, and dockets 
of the same. 

Annual statement of disposals of the public lands. 

Estimates of appropriations. 

Balances of appropriations. 

Instructions relative to the disposal of the public land, miscellaneous work, and all 
statistics relative to the piiblic lauds. 

» 

Statement showing in detail the methods of trausfictiug business in the accounts 
division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, 
beginning with the receipt of the Inisine^ss matter in the office, and then showing, in 
consecutive order, the various ste])s taken by each of such principal business mat¬ 
ters through the appro}>riate divisions of said office, and the emjiloyds through 
whose hands the same passes, and by wliom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

DUTIES OF, AXD MANNER OF TRANSACTING BUSINESS BY, THE FILE CLERK. 

Letters coming into the division from the mail room are delivered to the chief of 
the division. After an examination by him they are sent to the tile clerk, who marks 
on each the name of the clerk by direction of the chief and assistant chief of division 
who is to take action on the subject-matter therein contained. ITie letters are then 
arranged in numerical order according to the General Laud Office series of numbers ; 
after the letters are so arranged they are entered in a “ Record of letters received,” 
giving number of letter, name and address of writer, date, and subject-matter; the 
number of volume and page is noted in left-hand corner for reference. The letters 
are then indexed under the proper head, giving name of writer, date, volume, and 
page of record. The number of each letter is \)laced upon duplicate mail cards, which 
are signed by the clerk to whom the same are referred. 

After the case has been disposed of by the clerk he notes the action taken thereon 
and returns the letters to the tile clerk, who receipts on the duplicate mail cards sent 
with the letters when referred. 

If the letter is referred to another division it is noted in the record of “ Letters 
received,” and also entered in a transfer book kept for the purpose, and the receipt of 
the registering clerk taken. The action taken by the clerk, upon a letter, is entered 
upon the “Register of letters received.” 

When more than one name of person or land office appears in a letter, if at all mate¬ 
rial to the case, they are severally indexed, the writer’s name in black ink, and the 
parties referred to in red. This separate entry is made for the xinrpose of more readily 
tracing any case that may inquired for. 

The index is divided into four parts for letters from registers and receivers, sur¬ 
veyors-general, departmental, and miscellaneous. Letters from surveyors-geueral 
and registers and receivers and the several departments are indexed under the name 
of the office and miscellaneous letters under the names of the writers. 

After letters have been acted upon by clerks and returned to the tile clerk the tile 
clerk receipts to them upon duplicate cards for return of letters, and they are tiled in 
the proper jilaces, as follows: 

All letters are tiled, according to date by calendar years, in the file designated as 
registers and receivers, surveyors-general, departmental, and miscellaneous. 

When a letter is wanted from the files, the clerk needing it applies to the file clerk, 
who withdraws the letter, tills out a withdrawal card on which is entered the deserp- 
tion of the letter by number, date, and name of writer, receipts the same, which is 
kept in the files until the letter is returned. 

WEEKLY STATEMENTS. 

All receivers of public moneys and surveyors-general acting as disbursing agents 
are required to render at the close of business of each week a statement showing the 
amount of money received and dejmsited, with the balances on hand. These state¬ 
ments are forwarded to the General Land Office, received at the registering room, 
referred to the division of accounts, received by the chief, and sent to the file clerk. 
They are entered by number and date in the book kept for that purpose, indorsed for 
reference by the Commissioner to the Treasurer of the United States, and when signed 
by the Coinmissloner are returned to this division. An account is kept of the num¬ 
ber indorsed and signed, and they are then forwarded to the Treasury Department. 

4402 INT- 10 







242 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


After comparison with the hooks of the Treasurer and indorsed by the Treasurer, 
they are returned to the General Land Office, received by the chief of the division 
of accounts, sent to the tile clerk, who notes the date of return and files them away 
for future reference. 

DESK OF “advances TO DISBURSING AGENTS. 

Advances to disbursing agents are made as follows, viz : 

Each receiver of public moneys, acting as disbursing agent, transmits quarterly a 
requisition, addressed to the Commissioner of the General Land Office, for funds, under 
the several appropriations, to meet the expenses of his office ; the requisition is re¬ 
ceived by the mail clerk, who sends it to the chief of division “ M ” (accounts) ; thence 
it is sent, after examination, to the docket clerk to be registered ; the latter hands it 
to the accountant in charge of the proper office, Avho compares it with the returns 
from such office, for the previous quarter ; if the balances, if any exist, are correct, 
and the amounts requested are authorized by law, the accountant places the requisi¬ 
tion in the hands of the “ advance” clerk, who examines the request, proves the foot¬ 
ings thereof, and makes out a requisition on the Secretary of the Interior, on a pre¬ 
pared blank, with stub, for the several amounts, under the proper official bond of the 
receiver. Retaining the stub the requisition, accompanied by a letter of instructions 
to the receiver, is handed to the accountant for initials, after which it is given to the 
book-keeper for entry, and by him sent to the chief and assistant chief of division for 
approval. From thence it goes to the Commissioner for his signature, and when re¬ 
turned to the chief of division M (accounts) is sent by him to the file clerk, the latter 
returns it to the advance clerk, who, after briefing the request, transmits it to the 
disbursing officer of the Department of the Interior. i 

The letter of instruction, after having received the approval of the chief of division 
and the signature of the Commissioner, is copied by the recording clerk of the di¬ 
vision, and when returned to the writer is press copied and the original mailed to the 
receiver. 

The request from the receiver is properly briefed and placed among the records of 
this office. 

STATE-FUND ACCOUNTS DESK. 

State-fund accounts are based upon the receiver’s disbursing accounts and sales of 
public lands as adjusted, approved,* and recorded in the General Land Office. 

Examples: 

Adjustment of Nebraska 5 per cent, fund account under the twelfth section of the 
act of Congress, April 19, 18G4, Stat. L., vol. 13, p. 49. 

1. There is prepared from the receiver’s adjusted accounts a statement showing 
separately the amount received from sales of public and Indian lands and fees and 
commissions during each quarter, from July 1, 1862, to June 30, 1885, also number of 
each quarterly report and the total cash receipts, with the expenses of the sales thereof, 
consisting of amounts paid for salaries, contingent expenses, and expenses of deposit¬ 
ing for each quarter during the period mentioned at each laud office in the State of 
Nebraska. 

From the tabular statement thus prepared separate statements by year and quarter 
are made of each office in Nebraska, showing number of report, amount received for 
each class of laud, and from fees and commissions, for each item of expense to be pro¬ 
rated, and the nature of the expenditure. 

I then state the terms of the proportion for computation of the ju’o rata share of ex¬ 
penses to be deducted from net proceeds of sales of public lands. 

In each quarter there are three classes of expenditures to be prorated viz : Sala¬ 
ries, contingent expenses, and expense of depositing, involving several computations 
in each quarter. 

3. Computing the proportionate share of expense. 

4. After obtaining the proportionate share of each class of expenditure the account 
is then stated by the year and quarter on blanks (l-224a) prepared by this office, show¬ 
ing number, report, year, and quarter, cash sales of public lands, detailed statement of 
pro rata share of expenses, and net proceeds from sales of laud during each quarter 
and the totals for entire year : 

5. From statement on blank form 4-124 recapitulations are made of the sales of pub¬ 
lic lands at each office in the State for each year and quarter and the proportionate 
share of each class of expenses incident to the sales of said lands, together with the 
net proceeds thereof, showing the total sales of public lands, total pro rata share of 
expenses and net proceeds from sales of public lauds during each yea.r, from which is 
deducted repayments for lands erroneously sold during each fiscal year, as per certifi¬ 
cate of the Register of the Treasury, on which balance the percentage is computed and 
shown. 






THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


243 


The account is then stated for the last time, showing the balance due the State as 
per last report, the per centum on net amount derived as purchase-money during each 
liseal year from July 1,1882, to June 30, 1885, from the aggregate amount of which is 
deducted warrants on the Treasurer, showing balance due the State from the per 
centum accruing to the State of Nebraska upon the net proceeds of the sales of public 
lands within her limits. 

7. The account is then submitted to chief of division M for approval. 

8. From division of accounts this account is sent by chief of division to the law 
examiners, and after being passed on by them is sent to the Commissioner of the Gen¬ 
eral Laud Office for examination and approval. 

9. After being approved by the Commissioner of the General Land Office it is re¬ 
turned to clerk’s desk to be numbered, recorded, cand forwarded to Hon. First Comp¬ 
troller of the Treasury, with letter of transmittal, accompanied by all the statements 
and computations relating to said account. 

10. These adjusted accounts are recorded by number in office of chief of division in 
duplicate, one cop 3 'of which is carried by messenger with the adjusted accounts to 
the proper official in the Comptroller’s Office and the accounts by number compared 
with the duplicate and checked off. If correct, the said official receipts to the mes¬ 
senger for same, which record receipt is returned to chief of division of accounts. 

MISCELLANEOUS AND STATISTICAL DESK. 

The work of this desk consists of examining the quarterly accounts of one hundred 
and nine local land offices and entering the same in a book prepared and kept for that 
purpose, known as the “ Quarterly records of the disposal of public lands.” This 
book shows the number of entries made, the number of acres of the various classes of 
land sold, and the amount received therefor ; total cash sales ; also amount received 
from fees and commissions, together with the grand aggregate of all classes of entries; 
area disposed of, and cash receipts from all sources ; in it is also recorded the various 
expenses incident to the .sales of public lands, such as salaries aud commissions, con¬ 
tingent expenses, expense of depositing, &c., for each quarter. 

Each receiver forwards with his^iuarterly returns a recapitulation of the business 
transacted at his office during the quarter, showing the number of entries made, acres 
sold, and amount received therefor; amount received from fees and commissions. 
Upon receijit of same bj^ returns clerk they are docketed and distributed to the sev¬ 
eral accountants, who compare them with detailed (quarterly accounts, and the docket 
kept by returns clerk ; if found correct they are so marked aud sent to miscellaneous 
desk, when they are re-examined, and if no error is discovered therein they are en¬ 
tered in the “ Quarterly records.” Said accounts are afterwards compared with the 
account as adjusted and approved by the several officers of the Bureau. Should any 
difference exist they are corrected in accordance with adjusted aud approved account. 

From this book and at this desk is made up a detailed statement of the business 
transacted at each local office in the States and Territories during the fiscal year; 
also the recapitulation by States aud Territories of the entire disposal of public and 
Indian lauds during the fiscal j'ear, as xmblished in annual reiiort of the Commissioner 
of General Land Office. 

ACCOUNTS OF UNITED STATES SURVEYORS GENERAL. 

When an account of a United States surveyor-general, acting as disbursing agent, 
for illustration, say, of J. Cabell Breckinridge, of Washington Territory, is received 
aud examined by the chief of this division, it is passed from him to the registering 
clerk, who, after registering, turns it over to the accountant, taking his receipt there¬ 
for. The latter, as soon as jiracticable, jiroceeds to examine it. If found incorrect or 
informal, or if not su|iported by proper vouchers, corresiiondeuce approved by the 
chief of division is held with the surs^eyor-geueral with a view of having it eonform 
to the requirements of law and the regulations of the office. If found correct, or as 
nearly correct as circumstances will iiermit, a requisition is made on the register of 
the Treasury for a certilicate giving a status of the account as shown on the liooksof 
that office, the object being to ascertain the amount of funds advanced to that officer 
and the balance, if there is any, due to or from him, as certified by the First Comp¬ 
troller on a prior adjustment. 

When the certificate is received an adjustment is made, aud if a difference exists 
between the account and the adjustment the tact is shown by a “ statement of differ¬ 
ence ” appended to the report. 

The report is then presented to the chief or the assistant chief of division, who, if 
it appears to bo correct, initials and sends it to the law examiners, who in turn pass 
upon it, and after initialing present it to the Commissioner of the General Land Office 
for his signature. 


244 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Wlien signed by the Commissioner it is returned to the chief of the division, and by 
liim to the book keeper, who posts it in books kept for that purpose. 

It is then referred to the recording clerk, who records aiuF returns it to the ac¬ 
countant, and by him it is forwarded, with a letter, to the First Comptroller of the 
Treasury for his action thereon. 

Simultaneously with the adjustment of the account the surveyor-general is notified 
of the action of the office in the matter. 

ACCOUNTS OP RECEIVEliS OP PUBLIC MONEYS. 

The duties of this desk consist in the auditing and adjustment of the accounts of 
receivers of public moneys and receivers acting as disbursing agents. 

1st. The receiver’s account originates in this division with receipt by chief of di¬ 
vision from mail room of Bureau of a monthly account-current rendered by receiver, 
showing the aggregate amount of sales of public lauds, and the amount deposited by 
receiver in the United States Treasury on account of such sales fur the mouth ; fee 
statement showing the transactions for the month on account of fees and commis¬ 
sions ; and detailed statement of fees received for reducing testimony tu writing, mak¬ 
ing plats, diagrams, &c. 

These accovints, when received by chief of division, are assigned to the docket clerk 
for examination and record, but if, after examination, they are found to be incorrect 
in any particular, the same are returned to the receiver, with letter, explaining 
wherein inaccuracies, discrepancies, or omissions exist, which very frequently occur, 
causing delay. 

When the accounts are returned corrected they are received by the chief of divis¬ 
ion from mail room, and by him assigned to docket clerk, and then, if found to be 
correct, are recorded and delivered by docket clerk to the accountant, by whom same 
are rerained until end of quarter. 

2d. Receivers are required at the end of each quarter to i)repare and transmit a 
quarterly account of sales of lauds for cash, detailed quarterly statements of home¬ 
stead entries, original and final, and detailed quarterly statements of timber-culture 
entries, original and final, showing number of acres and amount of fees and commis¬ 
sions received therefrom, and condensed accounts showing aggregate sales of all 
classes of entries and amount received therefor, together with amount deposited by 
receiver on account of said sales for the quarter. 

When these (piarterly returns are received from mail room by the chief of division 
they are assigned by him to docket clerk, who notes the receipt thereof in a book 
pre})ared for the purposi}, and then delivers them to the accountant. 

:id. In connection with receivers’ accounts there is received by chief of division 
from the Treasury Department covering warrants, showing the amount deposited 
and covered into the Treasury by the receiver on account of cash sales, and fees and 
commissions during the quarter; these warrants after being recorded are delivered 
to this desk. 

4th. Having received all returns and warrants connected with the account for tho 
quarter, the accountant proceeds to make an adjustment of the account, which con¬ 
sists of comparisons of the account with the bond book to see if rendered under 
proper bond, as appears of record (the bond on file in 'rreasury Department). 

The next step is a segregation of the difierent items under the different dates, so as 
to bring the several classes together to obtain the aggregate number cf acres, and 
amount received from each class of lauds. 

5th. The monthly fee statements for the three months composing the quarter are 
aggregated under the different classifications. 

6th. The monthly and quarterly accounts are then examined, in connection with 
each other and with the docket (the quarterlies being a condensation of the monthly 
accounts), and if found to agree the account is then stated, debiting the receiver with 
the amount received and crediting him with amount deposited, as covered by war¬ 
rant. This is in the form of a report enumerating the different classes of entry—num¬ 
ber of acres and amount, number, description, and amount of each coverinf"* warrant 
Also showing balance, if any, due receiver or United States. ’ 

If any discrepancies are found to exist between the accounts as rendered by re¬ 
ceivers and as adjusted by this office, they are explained in what is called a state¬ 
ment of difference. 

In almost every instance more or less correspondence is had in connection with on 
account, for non-compliance with laws, or rules and regulations of Treasury Depart¬ 
ment and this office. 

The account, as stated or report—is then delivered by the accountant to book¬ 
keeper for examination and the entering of balance on ledger, who, after enteriiH** 
and initialing, delivers same to chief and assistant chief of division for examination 
and initialing. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


245 


8tli. Tlie chief of divisiou then causes same to be delivered to the board of law ex¬ 
aminers, who, after examination and initialing, submit it to the Commissioner for 
approval and signature. 

9th. After signature bj^ the Commissioner the report is returned to chief of division, 
who assigns same to file clerk, by whom it is sent to accountant, who delivers it to 
the copyist for record. After being recorded and compared, the report is returned to 
accountant, who transmits the report, with the accoupianying papers, through the 
chief ot division, to the First Comptroller of the Treasury for his action. 

I ive accountants and one recorder are employed upon the receivers of public moneys 
in the one hundred and nine local land ohices in twenty-four States and Terriltu'ies. 
The duties ot all the accountants are similar, varied only by the class of lands dis¬ 
posed of. 

CONTRACTS AND SURVEYING ACCOUNTS. 

Surveying accounts are rendered under contracts entered into between United States 
surveyors-general and a United States deputy surveyor for survey of the imblic lauds, 
private laud claims, towusites, and, in some cases, Indian reservations. 

Accounts based upon such contracts are prepared, stated, and ceriitied to by the 
surveyor-general in the district presided over by him and lorwarded to this office for 
action. 

Alter approval by the Commissioner of the General Land Office contracts are sent 
to the division of accounts, where they are entered in the contract book by the clerk 
in charge of the surveying desk and tiled for use in adjusting accounts. 

Under contracts made direct by Commissioner of General Land Office for survey of 
Indian reservations. State or Territorial boundary lines, the accounts are stated, cer¬ 
tified to, and approved by that officer, and a complete record is kept thereof. 

When surveying accounts are received from surveyor-general they are referred 
to registering division. After being registered they are sent to chief "of division of 
accounts. After being examined by him, sent to hie clerk in his division to be regis¬ 
tered, who then delivers accounts with accompanying letter to clerk in charge of sur¬ 
veying accounts, who receipts for the same 

After acceptance of plats and held notes of work of survey they are sent np to di¬ 
vision of accounts from surveying division and receipted for by the clerk, and the ac¬ 
count is, as soon thereafter as practicable, taken up and adjusted. 

There are five classes of lines surveyable, \\z, base, standard, meridian, township, 
and meander lines. 

The method of adjusting accounts is as follows: An account is received from lile 
clerk, covered by letter of surveyor-general of Colorado, in favor of 13. F. Clark, for 
surveying three classes of lines, viz, township, meander, and section lines, charged 
at minimum rates, as provided in contract, and payable from “appropriation for sur¬ 
veying public lands ” during fiscal year ending JuneliO, 188o, which I have ('xarnined, 
adjusted (with few corrections), and disposed of on the following basis, which govern 
accounts in general, rendered for one or more classes of lines : 

1. Compare the account with the contract to ascertain if the wmrk charged in the 
account is the same as provided in the contract at maximum and minimum rates per 
mile, or as ])rovided by law, as the case may be, and if Avork is comideted w ithin 
limitation of time named in contract. 

2. An examination of the field notes and plats of survey is made, first, to verify the 
distance surveyed on standard, meridian, township, and section lines in chains and 
links from corner legally set in its proper place on all lines running north, south, east, 
and west, and meander lines of rivers, lakes, and islands whenever they occur; and, 
second, to segregate the two classes of land where charged in the account at maximum 
and minimum rates. 

3. Computing aggregate distance of each class of lines surveyed in miles, chains, 
and links, to v erily that stated on the plats. 

Where items in the account are verified they are checked ; otherwise, in case of er¬ 
rors, corrections are made in both mileage and rates per mile, necessitating changes in 
the account. 

The account is then reported for payment as adjusted ou a lilank prepared for that 
purpose, stating therein to what at)propriatioii chargeable, of which there are three 
classes, viz: “General appropriation for survey of public lands,” “Private land 
claims,” and “Deposits by individuals.” 

The account and report, with a letter to First Comptroller of Treasury and one to the 
surveyor-general, attached together, are then laid before chief and assistant chief of 
division, v/ho examine them, and if correct they place their initials thereon, and 
then they go before a board of examiners for their inspection, and thence to Commis¬ 
sioner for his review' and approval. 

After the favorable action of the Commissioner they are returned to chief of division 
of accounts, and then sent to the book-keeper to be charged to the proper appropri¬ 
ation. 


246 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The report and letters, after being recorded in the proper books by the book-keeper 
and copyist, are handed to the clerk from whom they originated, who then proceeds to 
make entries in books as follows : 

4. Contract-book. 

Crediting the surveyor with the work executed and amount claimed, and charging 
him with the amount of the account as adjusted and allowed per report, and if there 
is a difference from the amount claimed, the difference is so stated, and if tlie work 
under the contract is completed the case ys closed. 

5. Special-deposit book. 

Where accounts are chargeable to “Deposits by Individuals,’’ books of deposit are 
kept separately by districts, and the clerk then charges in proper district book, against 
the sums deposited for the work by township and range, the amount of the account 
as stated in the report. 

G. Returns of survey-book. 

Enter therein, under head of proper fiscal year in which contract is dated, surveys 
by township and range, miles, chains, and links of lines as classed, name of deputy 
surveyor, date of contract, area of laud surveyed, date of commencement and comple¬ 
tion of survey, number of report of payment, and amount paid. 

7. The account, with report, is then inclosed in the letter of transmittal and sent by 
messenger to First Comptroller of Treasury (whorecei])tsfor same), with request that 
draft be sent to address of payee as directed in the account, and the letter to the sur¬ 
veyor-general, which advises him of adjustment of said account, amount allowed, of 
all changes or reductions, as the case may be, is then press copied and mailed, thus 
disposing of the case so far as this office is concerned. 

8. In the case of “Survey of Indian Reservations” the same course is })ursued as in 
examination of returns of surveys and the same entries are made in the books of this 
office as of public and private lands, with this difference : “Indian Reservations” are 
noted as such, and the accounts, after being stated, certified or approved by the Com¬ 
missioner of the General Land Office, are transmitted with letter to Commissioner of 
Indian Affairs for his action, the appropriation for that specific purpose not being car¬ 
ried on the books of this office. 

There is another classof his accounts which the same clerk adjusts, viz : 

Accounts of “examiner of surveys” in the field, to test the accuracy of the work 
of deputy surveyors and to prevent payment for fraudulent and imperfect surveys, 
which service is performed under “ Special Instructions” at a per-diem rate and all 
necessary and reasonable expenses, including hire of assistants. 

These accounts are required to be itemized and accompanied by vouchers for all 
sums expended by the examiner over the amount of $1, sworn to by the examiner, 
and approved by the surveyor-general. When this a(;count is received it passes 
through the same course as the other class of accounts, and when it reaches the ad¬ 
justing clerk is referred, through the chief of his division, to the chief of division of 
public surveys, for report as to time occupied and charged by the examiner being rea¬ 
sonable and necessary in the prosecution of said examination. 

When the account is returned with report called for, it isthi n taken up, each voucher 
critically examined and compared with the account, when, on the basis of adjustment, 
it is reported for payment, and is finally disposed of, as in cases of surveying accounts, 
except that the book-keeper makes all entries in cases of examinations. 

In addition to the above matters, besides surveyor-general’s letters, there is con¬ 
siderable miscellaneous correspondence which receives due attention, and all letters 
written, besides being recorded, are press copied, and all letters answered are noted 
thereon “ answered” by date and delivered to the file clerk, who surrenders receipt. 

After surve ying accounts come into the division of accounts for adjustment, they 
are often delayed for a short or long time, induced by an examination in the field by 
“ examiners of surveys” to test the accuracy of the survey and consequently the cor¬ 
rectness of the account. The surveying accountant cannot avoid this delay. He 
must wait until the chief of division receives from the chief clerk of surveys notice 
that the report of the said examiner of surveys is received and the work of the sur¬ 
veyor is accepted by the Commissioner of the General Land Office. 

Repayment of purchase money, fee, commissions, and excess, for lands erroneously 

sold, under sections 2362, 2*4.63, and 3689, U. S. Revised Statutes, and the act of 

Congress approved June 16, 1880. 


William Jones, desiring to enter a portion of the public domain, goes to the local land office at Olympia, 
Wash., and presents a written application to the register to enter the NW. J of Sec. 24, 1'. 6 N.j 
li. 10 W. After the above preliminaries, if the tract is vacant, the register will so certify to the 
receiver, stating the price the applicant must pay to the receiver and the amount of the purchase 
money. Thereupon the receiver will issue his receipt in duplicate for the money paid, and the 
register his certificate of purchase. 

At the close of the month the register and receiver will make returns of the sale to the General Land 
Office. 


I 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


247 


If in the examination of the monthly returns of sales it is found, on posting the returns upon the tract 
books of this office, that the entry made by Jones is in conflict with a prior entry or a prior grant 
to the State or tor other purposes when the United States has parted with the title, the register 
and receiver at Olympia are so informed of such conflict, and are directed to notify the entryman, 
allowing sixty days tor appeal to the honorable Secretary of the Interior, to show cause why his 
entry should not he canceled. 

If the entryman concludes to take no appeal, he can avail himself, by making proper application to 
this office, through the register and receiver at Olympia, for the return of the purchase money 
paid on his entry. (Blank forms of application are furnivShed by the local officers.) 

The register and receiver, upon receipt of the appiication for repayment, forwaid the same to this 
office with their joint report in the case. The application must be accompanied by the duplicate 
receipt. * % 

If the duplicate receipt has been lost or destroyed, the entryman must advertise the fact of such loss, 
giving notice of his intention to apply for repayment of the purchase money. This advertisement 
must be inserted weekly for six weeks in some newspaper of extensive circulation in the vicinity 
of the land. 

A copy of the advertisement, with the affidavit of the publisher or other person having charge of the 
paper, that it was inserted the requisite number of times, must accompany the papers in the case. 

If the duplicate receipt has become a matter of record, the entryman must execute a deed relinquish¬ 
ing to the United States all right, title, and claim to the land under his entry. This deed must be 
duly recorded and a certificate produced from the proper recording officer where the land is sit¬ 
uated showing that said deed is so recorded, and that the records of his office do not exhibit any 
other conveyance or incumbrance of the title to the land. 

If William Jones has transferied the land, then his transferee must show his right to repayment by 
furnishing properly authenticated abstracts of title, or the original deed or instruments of assign¬ 
ment or certified copies thereof. 

Upon the receipt of the application of William Jones by this office, the same is registered in the mail 
room, yn'operly numbered, say 44964. then referred to the division having cognizance of cases of 
this character. It is examined by the chief of the division; then sent to the file clerk, who (lockets 
the .same, and charges the case to the clerk having the matter in chage. To illustrate: The repay¬ 
ment cleik receives the application of William Jones; he then dockets the case, giviug the number 
and character of entry, name of applicant, land office and State, description of the land, section, 
township, and range, date of application, and date when received. 

After the case has bc^en duly entered upon the docket, he then makes an examination of the tract- 
books to determine the status of the entry, and to ascertain whether the party is entitled to the 
retnru of the purchase money. If after ascertaining all the facts in the case, that the entry was 
canceled for conflict, or that the same was erroneously allowed, and that the party is entitled to 
repayment, and if tbe evidence submitted is satisfactory, an account is written up with a full 
stat(iment of the ground of cancellation. 

The account is then submitted to the chief and assistant chief of division for their examination and 
approval. If it meets their approval, they initial the same ; it is then submitted to the reading 
hoard for their approval, and it is then submitted to the Commissioner for his signature. 

After the account has been signed by the Commissioner, it is then submitted to the honorable Secre¬ 
tary of the luterioi', together with all the papers in the case, for his action If after a carefful ex¬ 
amination of evidence submitted with the account, it is found to be satisfactory, the Secretary 
approves the account and returns it. 

The repayment clerk then writes a certificate to be signed by the Commissioner, as follows: 

[Report No. 49874. J 


Department of the Interior, General Land Office, 

April 30, 1886. 

I hereby certify that I have examined and adjusted an account between the United States and 
William Jones, and find that the sum of $100 is due from the United States to the said William 
Jones, being the amount paid by him for laud erroneously sold to him at the land office at Olympia, 
Wash, September 1,188.% per certificate No. 719, and which sum is payable in pursuance of sec¬ 
tions 2362, 2363, and 3689, United States Revised Statutes, and the act of Juno 16, 1880, authoriz¬ 
ing repayment for lands erroneously^ sold to the said Jones for the purchase money so paid by him 
for the NW. ^ Sec. 24, T. 6 N., R. 10 W., containing 160 acres of land, at $1.25 per acre. 

It appears from the returns made to this office, and records thereof, that the above-described , 
entry wa.s canceled by office letter “C,” January 4, 1886, because of conflict with prior cash entry 
No. 420, made by Henrv Williams. 

And as appears from“statement and vouchers herewith submitted for the decision of the Comp- 
.roller of the Treaenry thereoa. ^ 

Commissioner. 

One hundred dollars to be remitted to William Jones, Olympia, Wash. 


To Hon. M. J- Durham, ' 

First Comptroller of the Treasury. 

After this certificate is signed by the Commissioner, indorsement is then made on the entry papers of 
the fact that repayment is ordered, and the proper annotation is made upon the tract-books. 

The certificate, the amount approved by the Secretary, together will all the papers pertaining to the 
case, -are then forwarded to the honorable First Comptroller of the Treasury for his action. 


Swamp account. 

A certified list of swamp selections for which the State of Louisiana claims indemnity 
under the act of Congress approved March 2, 1849, was forwarded to the chief of 
division of accounts from the swamp land division, and referred by him to desk of 
repayment clerk for adjustment. 


The list of selections is accompanied by the original certificates of purchase issued 
by the register and receiver at the time of sale, certifying that the parties named 
therein have purchased the tracts designated in the several certificates. 


248 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


From these certiticates the adjustment of the account is made, each certificate 
being subjected to a careful examination, and the name of purchaser, description of 
tract, section, township, and range, area, price, and amount, entered on a blank form 
prepared exclusively for the adjustment of the account. 

After the adjustment is completed the area and amounts are footed, and the account, 
together with all the papers in the case, are placed in the hands of the chief of divis¬ 
ion, who thereupon subjects same to an examination and comparison. 

If found correct he will certify to the fact. 

The account is then passed to the chief of the swamp laud division, who certifies 
that the lands contained in the list were found, after a careful examination of the 
field notes of United States surveys, and other evidence on file in the General Land 
Office, to be swamp laud within the intent and meaning of the act of Congress ap¬ 
proved March 2, 1849. 

At this stage, the account is referred to the Commissioner, who certifies to the 
honorable Secretary of the Interior that the lands contained in the list for indemnity 
are swamp lands within the intent and uieauing of the act of Congress approved 
March 2, 1849, and having been sold by the United States prior to the passage of the 
act of March 3, 1857 (extending the provisions of the act of March 2, 1855), section 
2482 U. S. Revised Statutes, that said State of Louisiana is therefore entitled to re¬ 
ceive the sum of | , as indemnity, according to the provisions of section 2482 

U. S. Revised Statutes, and recommends that the account bo aiiprovcd. 

All papers and proof in the case are duly transmitted to the honorable Secretary, 
and after examination, if found correct, is approved and returned to this office for 
final action. 

Upon receipt of account from Secretary, the Commissioner certifies to the First 
Comptroller of the Treasury that ho has “ examined and adjusted an account between 
the United States and the State of Louisiana, and that due proof has been filed in his 
office showing that said lands were swamp lauds within the intent and meaning of 
the act of Congress, approved March 2, 1849, and tha said State is entitled to the in¬ 
demnity claimed, and recommends the approval of the account.’^ 


Local office returns desk. 


The object of this desk is the examination of the returns received from the several 
district land offices; to see that the same are made in accordance with law and offi¬ 
cial requirements; ledger records are made and kept.of the disposition of the public 
domain, also of all Indian lands, as reported by the local officers. 

The monthly and quarterly returns from the 109 existing district laud offices are 
received at this desk direct from the mail division. They aggregate between eight 
and ten bushels in volume each mouth, embracing on an average about 16,000 en¬ 
tries or cases. 

The returns from each ofiice are segregated from the mass and i)ut in order; each 
entry or case is then carefully counted and compared with the registers’ and receiv¬ 
ers’ abstracts of entries and receipts of each character of disposals; the abstracts of 
each are critically compared with the receiver’s account-current and fee statement, 
with a view to detecting any errors or discrepancies that may exist therein, particu¬ 
larly in the matter of omissions of any kind; the preserving the several series of 
registers’ and receivers’ numbers; the correct area to be reported; the amounts reported 
as received are properly accounted for, &c.; the detailed statement of testimony fees 
is then in turn compared with the account and fee statement, thus completing the ex¬ 
amination. Errors or discrepancies of any kind discovered in the examination are, 
according to their character, either remedied at this desk or required to be cured by 
the local officers. The returns are then seriately docketed, by offices, from said ac¬ 
counts and forwarded to the several divisions for further and final action, minus the 
accounts which are retained in this division (accounts) and delivered to the several 
accountants for final examination and adjustment. 

Note.—S ee example A herewith, giving in detail the examination of an office re 
turns. 


Example A. 

Huron, Dak., returns for the month of January, 1887. E. W. Miller, receiver. 
Showing in detail the action had by the returns desk in the examination, docket¬ 
ing and reference of the monthly and quarterly returns from a single office. 

J. The chief of the division received from the mail division letter No. 37225 from the register and 
receiver, transmitting the returns ; after examination by the chief it was sent by him to the file 
clerk, who in turn docketed it; it was then by him delivered to the examining clerk in charge of 
local office returns. Accompanying the letter was a “mail card,” prepared by the file clerk in 
which is charged the letter delivered, for which the returns clerk receipted to the file clerk 
upon duplicate card. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


249 


2. The hulk of the monthly returns, consiatini' of the account-current, fee statement, and detailed ac¬ 

count of tesiimouy, &c., fees, and the register’s and receiver’s abstracts of declaratory statements 
and entries and receipts, also the papers pertaining to the several characters of entries, were re¬ 
ceived at the returns desk direct fi'om the mail-room. 

3. The returns were then arranged in order amt the several classes of entry papers carefully counted 

by the assistant returns clerk. 

4. They were then taken in charge by the examining clerk; the account-current, foe statement, and 

detailed account of testimony, &c., fees, the abstracts of declaratory statements and of entries and 
receipts were thou ciitically examined by him, tho one with the other, and each with the account- 
current and fee statement, and in turn the detailed account of testimony, <fec., fees, with the ac¬ 
count-current and fee statement. ^To omissions of entries or abstracts or irregularity in the jtrep- 
aration and transmission of these returns were discovered. Tho examination is completed, which 
shows, substantially, the operation had in the receipt and examination ol the monthly returns of 
any one office by the local office returns examiner and tho assistant. 

5. The returns were carefully put in order, tied up and sent by messenger to the divisions having .sxib- 

sequent action thereon, minus the letter of transmittal, the account-current, fee statement, and de¬ 
tailed account of testimony, and fees which wore retained by the examining clerk and turned over 
to his assistant. 

6. The assistant then proceeded to make a record of the same in the dockets kept for that purpose, in 

tho following order, namely : (1) The number of tbe reaister's and receiver’s letter. (2) From the 
account-current, fee statement, and detailed account of testimony, &c., fees, the register’s and re¬ 
ceiver’s numbers, the area, and the amounts reported as received on account of the disposition of 
all characters of land, and the balance duo tho United States by tho receiver at the close of the 
period. 

7. The letter of tiansmittal was then delivered to the file clerk, who receipted to the examiner there¬ 

for, and the accounts turned over to the accountant having charge of the adjustment of the same, 
thus completing the requirements and final official action in the examination and disposition by 
this desk of the monthly returns of a local office. 

8. The quarterly returns, consisting of the detailed accouut of cash receipts, the condensed account 

and recapitulation of tho same, the disbursing accounts, together with tho vouchers ])ertaining. 
thereto, and tho detailed statements of original and final homestead and limber-culture receipts, 
were also received at this desk with the letter of transmittal, through the file clerk, recorded in 
the order named, in a special record, and by the examiner handed to the accountant having charge 
thereof. 

Sj^ccial agents and miscellaneous accounts deslc. 

Tbe duties of this desk relate to the adjustineut of all salary, per diem, and expense 
accounts of the inspectors, examiuers of surveys, special, timber, frauduleut laud aud 
swamp agents, and custodians of abandoned military reservations ; al.so of ail accounts 
for transportation of agents aud other employes of this office, for transportation of 
stationery and supplies sent from this office to the various local land offices ; accounts 
for purchase of books, &c., for the General Land Office library; accounts tor “print¬ 
ing maps” ; for repairing plats of surveys, all bills for advertising, viz : Sale of pub¬ 
lic lands, restoration of lands to public domain, timber, logs, railroad ties, bids for 
printing maps, plats of surveys, and any other mi.scellaneous accounts. 

Accounts are paid from different appropriations, viz, “ Expenses of inspectors G. 
L. O.” ; “ Surveying tho public lauds ” ; “ Depredations on public timber ” ; “ Protect¬ 
ing public lands”; “ Settlement of claims for swamp lauds aud swampland indem¬ 
nity”; “Preservation of abandoned military reservations”; “Contingent expenses- 
of General Land Office.” 

Special agents account. 

Special Agent and Examiner C. F. Conrad presents an account for salary and expenses for the month 
of August. 

1. Received at mail room, recorded and numbered. 

2. " Sent to chief of division of accounts. 

3. By chief turned over to file clerk. 

4. File clerk records same in journal and indexes same in general index. 

5. File clerk turns the accouut over to the clerk who has the adjustment of same and takes liis receipt 

therefor. ^ ^ i- 

6. Clerk records same in Ids .special book by number, name ot party, date, post-ofhce; date ol receipt, 

and from file clerk, and date of reference to surveying division. 

7 Clerk then enters same by number and name in another book, with date, and refers same to survey¬ 
ing division for certification as to correctness of date, time of service, and authority for incurring 
the expenses, taking receipt of the chief of .said division for same. 

8. Upon return of the account from the surveying division tho date of receipt is duly recorded upon 

both record books. ^ v i i i i i 

9 The account consists of a salarv charge and an itemized statement of expenses for board aud lodg- 

iuo- for himself aud a8sistaiit8“ expenses of team hire, pack animals, supplies for field use, for camp 
eqTiipage, charges for services of cook, packer, chainineu, axmau, aud surveyor. Each item is sus¬ 
tained by a voucher, except that for liis own salary. . „ , . ^ , 

10 The examination and adju.stment of the account consists in comparing all dates of .service charged 

in tho account with those appearing in the voucher, charges for board aud lodging calculated for 
each fraction of a day, at tho rate per day; calculations made for each item appearing in the item¬ 
ized bill for field supplies, also for number of days charged for the use of teams, pack animals, 
surveyor, and other a.ssistanco. , , . . , i i-n i- ..i * ^ 

11 In the examination of this account it is found that items are charged in bill of supplies that are not 
allowable and same is noted. It is also found that pack animals are charged for on certain days, 
but weekly reports of the agent show that on said days he had not entered upon his examination, 
and therefore could not have had use of the animals; noted. Charges are made for use ot packer, 
cook chainineu, and surveyor on certain days that are not borne out by his weekly reports; noted. 
Charges so noted are either disallowed or suspended, and are placed in a statement of differences^ 
which is attached to the account, and tho accouut is adjusted for the amount claimed, less the sus¬ 
pensions or disallowances. Long or short delays occur before supplemental accounts tor suspen¬ 
sions are adjusted. 


250 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


12. TJpou the completion of the examination the amount to be approved hy the Commissioner is writ 
ten out in full upon a designated space on the face of the account. 

13. A letter is then prepared, directed to Mr. Conrad, notifying him that the account stated at a cer¬ 
tain sum had been adjusted at the amount found to he allowable. 

14. The letter shows in detail what items have been suspended or disallowed, and the reasons for such 
action. 

15. Account and letter is then sent to the book keeper, who charges the amount against the appropria¬ 
tion for surv'eying the public lands. 

IG. It is then passed 1o the chief and a.S8istant chief of the division for their approval and initial and 
the certificate of the chief of division as to the correctness, and by him to the law examiners, who 
examine and send it to the Coiauussiouor for approval and signature. 

17. The date of adjustment and transmittal to the Commissioner are noted in our record book. 

18. When the Commissioner has approved said account it is returned to the cliief of this division, who 
sends it to the tile clerk, who gives credit to the clerks making the adju.stment. 

19. The tile clerk then letnrns the account to the clerk, who notes in his I’ecord the date of receipt 
from the Commissioner. 

20. The account and letter of notification is by him then given to the copyist, who makes a correct 
copy of both letter and account. 

21. After record the letter of notification is again returned to the clerk who wrote same, and a letter- 
pre.S8 copy made by him ; tlie letter is tlun mailed to its proper destination; date of return from 
copyist and the mailing theieof is also made in bis record. 

22. When the account is recorded and indexed it is sent to the chief and assistant chief of the division, 
who transmit same by messenger to the disbursing clerk of tliis Department, when it is again ex¬ 
amined, and sent to the honorable Secretary for signature ; "wlien signature of Secretary is obtained 
it is agaiu returned to the disbursing clei k, where same is l ecordedaud draft for the amount allowed 
sent to Mr. Conrad at his head-auarters. 


Adjuntment of Adams Exjjress accounts. 

Adams Express accounts are adjusted quarterly, as follows : The accounts are re¬ 
ceived, with the accompanyiug vouchers or way-bills by the mail clerk, and forwarded 
to the chief of the division of accounts, by whom they are examined and sent to the tile 
clerk to be docketed; the latter delivers them to the accountant, taking a receipt there¬ 
for. The accountant jiroceeds to the adjustment in the following order : 

(1) Prove the footings of charges in account. 

(2) Find the total amount of deposits. 

<3) Compare the vouchers, or way-bills, with account. 

(4) Seyiarate the depositaries. 

(5) Examine the vouchers. 

(6) State the account. 

(7) Take the report number. 

(8) Write letter of transmittal to Comptroller. 

(9) Brief and file the envelopes for record. 

<10) Send account to the book-keeper for entry. 

<11) Write letter of notification of adjustment to express agent. 

<12) The book-keeper delivers the account to the chief of division for approval, after which— 

(13) It is sent to the Commissioner for signature. 

(14) When received from the Commissioner by iho chief of the division, it is again sent to the file clerk, 
who delivers it to the clerk who has adjusted it; the latter places it in the hands of the recorder; 
after it is l ecorded the report of adjustment is briefed and transmitted, with the account and vouch¬ 
ers, to the First Comptroller of the Treasury, with request that draft for payment of the amount 
found due be forwarded to the agent of the company. 

The letter of notification to the agent, after approva’. by the chief of division and signature by the 
Commissioner, is banded to the recoiding clerk ; when returned to the desk of the accountant by 
the latter a press copy is taken and the original letter mailed to the company’s agent. 

Division of accounts — hook-keepeAs desk. 


Interior civil appropriatiou warrants are issued by the Treasury Department, <dv- 
ing the titles and amounts appropriated by Congress for expenses connected with 
the land service, and accounts are opened in a ledger and all expenditures made 
therefrom and amounts repaid are posted therein, under the proper head, in order 
that a correct account may be kept of the amount expended under each a])propria- 
tion, and that the expenses of the service may not exceed the amount of the appro¬ 
priation. 

Accounts are kept on this desk of the following appropriations made by Congress: 

“ Salaries and commissions of registers and receivers.’’ 

“Contingent expenses of laud offices.” 

“Expenses of depositing public moneys.” 

“Depredations on public timber.” 

Protecting public lands.” 

•“ Expenses of hearings in land entries.” 

“ Settlement of claims for swamp lands and swamp land indemnity.” 

“ Reproducing plats of surveys.” 

“ Surveying public lauds.” 

“ Examination of surveys.” 

“Surveying private laud claims in California.” 

“Surveying private land claims in Louisiana.” 

•“ Surveying private land claims in New Mexico.” 

Preservation of abandoned military reservations.” 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


251 


^‘Appraisement and sale of abandoned military reservations.” 

“Expenses of inspectors, General Land Office.” 

Library, General Land Office.” 

“Maps of the United States.” 

“ Resurveys of tbo public lands.” 

“ Surveying public lands in Nevada.” 

“Surveying the Hanson grant, Florida.” 

“Additional copies map of the United States.” 

“ Deposits by individuals for surveying public lauds.” 

Salaries, office of surveyor-general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Dakota, 
Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, 
Washington, Wyoming. 

Contingent expenses, office surveyor-general of Arizona, California, Florida, Colo¬ 
rado, Dakota, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, 
Utah, Washington, Wyoming. , 

Accounts are kept with each surveyor-general under such of the above-named 
appropriations as pertain to his office, which are those for salaries, contingent expenses, 
deposits by individuals, surveying the public lands, and, in California, Louisiana, and 
New Mexico, surveying private land claims. He is debited, under the proper head, 
with all moneys advanced to him as disbursing agent, and credited with all expendi¬ 
tures therefrom. 

Accounts are kept with each receiver of public moneys, acting as disbursing agent, 
under such of the following-named appropriations as are required to bo used for ex¬ 
penses at his office, and he is debited and credited as above : 

“ Salaries and commissions of registers and receivers.” 

“Contingent expenses land offices.” 

“ Expenses of depositing public moneys.” 

“Depredations on public timber.” 

“ Protecting public lands.” 

“ Expenses of hearings in land entries.” 

Accounts are kept with each receiver of public moneys, in which he is debited with 
the amount, as shown by his adjusted accounts, of all moneys received by him during 
each quarter from the disposal of public lands, and credited with all moneys depos¬ 
ited by him to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States, during the same 
period. 

Accounts are kept with each surveying district in which deposits made on ac¬ 
count of office work connected with surveying public lands are credited, and expendi¬ 
tures made therefrom .are debited. 

To ascertain at any time with facility the amount of an appropriation which is 
unexpended, a daily balance register is kept. 

All payments made by the Treasury Department are entered upon and posted from 
a blotter. 

Expenditures by disbursing agents and amounts debited and credited to receivers 
are posted directly from their adjusted accounts. 

Reports of receivers and disbursing agents adjusted accounts are critically exam¬ 
ined when they reach this desk, and any inaccuracies or omissions are reported to the 
chief of the di vision, and the report is at once amended or corrected. 

The following shows the method of disposing of adjusted accounts, &c., when re¬ 
ceived from the accountants: 

^pril 6,1887, rt^ceived from requisition clerk and accountants the followi ng • , . 

Jtequest to the honorable Secretary of the Interior lor the issue of a requisition in favor of J. McEllis, 
receiver, acting as disbursing agent at Denver, Colo., payable from the appropriation for salaries 
and commissions of registers and receivers, 1887, $1,500. 

Special Agent John Smith’s account for month of March, 1887, payable from appropriation for pro¬ 
tecting public lands, 1887, $240. , , • . « 

Heport No. 47250, Deputy Surveyor Samuel Jones’s account for $2,500 payable from approprratron tor 
surveying the public lands, 1886. „ ,x 

Eeport No. 40700, adjusted account of Z. T. Crawford, recerver of public moneys at Gainesville, Fla., 
for quarter ending December 31, 1886. _ . 

Eeport No. 40701, adjusted account of Z. T. Crawford, receiver at Gainesville, J la., acting as disburs¬ 
ing agent, for fourth quarter, 1886. , x. x. x x- 

A memorandum of the special agents’ and deputy surveyors accounts, and of the request for requisi¬ 
tion is entered on the blotter. , x, , i • i x x j 

The reports of receivers’ and disbursing agents’ .accounts are then thoroughly examined as stated. 

All adjusted accounts, reports, &c,, if they app'^ar to bo correct, are handed as they are recei’-ed and 
passed by tlie book-keeper to the chief of the division, who refers them to the assistant ctiiei lor 

his inspection, , . , . , , x. • 

Then, if approved by the chief of the division, the taw examiners, and signed by the Commissioner, 
they are returned to the chief of the divisi'X and referred by him to the book-t^eper. 

Tlioso which Jirc noted upon the blotter Mve checked ofF <it once Siud handeti to the lile clerk ; and they 
are posted from the blotter in the proper ledgers and under the proper head. 

The amounts debited and credited to Z. T, Crawford, in the adjustment of his accounts as receiver .and 
as acting disbursing agent, are posted, as described heroin, from the reports, which are then re¬ 
ferred to the file clerk. 11-1 

As accounts are returned signed the balances on the balance record are changed daily. 




252 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Deposits l)\j indiriduals for surveijing public lands. 

A letter trausniitting duplicate certificates of deposit, issued on account of surveying public lands, is 
received by the chief of the division, and delivered to the file clerk After entering a brief of it 
upon his records he turns it over to the assistant book-keeper, taking his receipt therefor. 

As soon as it is practicable letters acknowledging the receipt ot certificate, are written, and a de¬ 
scription of each certificate is entered upon the records. The deposits made for surveys in eack. 
district are kei)t se])arately. _ . , , 

Letters acknowledging the receipt of the certificates, after being approved by the chief of the division, 
the law examiners, and signed by the Commissioner, are returned to the chief of the division, re¬ 
ferred by him to the tile clerk, noted by him, recorded in the proper book, press copied by the 
writer, and mailed. 

The following statement shows the amount anel character of business received 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specitied below in tlie accounts division of tlie General Laud Office,. 
Department of the Interior: 


Chara< ter of busi¬ 
ness. 

pi? 

9 

* 

CO 

Ileceived d ur- 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending July 

1,1884. 

_ 

C 

'Citi 

> 

bti 

^ a 

<1^ 

w 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

.2 

V 

p-i 

a 

^ 00 

•? W 

5.3 

o 

^3 

''X) 

C rH 

CO 

p 

Pending July 

1,1886. 

Ileceived dur- ! 

j iugl887. I 

Disposed of in 

1887. 

Letters. 

Accounts. 

1, 662 
3,158 

22, 989 
4, OUO 

20, 721 
4, 993 

3, 830 
2,165 

26, 752 
5,100 

24, 647 
4,818 

5, 935 
2, 447 

22,613 
6, 553 

25, 357 
7,158 

3,191 

1, 842 

12, 351 
3, 063 

15,234 
3, 382 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per" 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during tlie periods specified, by the employes in 
the accounts division of the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior:. 


Character of business. 

July, 

Aug., 

Sept., 

Oct., 

Xov., 

Dec., 

Jan., 

Feb., 

Mar., 

Apr., 

May, 

June, 

1883. 

1883. 

1883. 

1883. 

1883. 

1883. 

1884. 

1884. 

1884. 

1884. 

1884. 

1884. 

Letters written. 

1, 726 

1, 726 
416 

1, 727 

1,726 

1, 726 

1, 726 

1, 726 
416 

1,726 

416 

1, 726 
416 

1,726 

4L6 

1,726 

1,726 

417 

Accounts adjusted. 

416 

'416 

416 

'416 

'416 

'416 

Entries of public land 

received, examined,and 













disposed of. 

16, 787 

16, 787 

16 . 788 16 . 787 

16, 787 

16, 787 

30,168 

30,168 

30,168 

30,168 

.30 168.30 168 







' 


Character of business. 

Julv, 

1884. 

Aug., 

1884. 

Sept., 

1.S84. 

Oct., 

1884. 

Nov.. 

1884.' 

Dec., 

1884. 

Jan, 

1885. 

Feb., 

1885. 

Mar., 

1885. 

Apr., 

1885. 

May, 

1885. 

Jiine, 

1885. 

Letters written. 

1,834 

1,894 

1,891 

1, 834 

1,834 

1,834 

1,777 

1, 701 

1, 777 

1,777 

1, 720 

1, 777 

Accounts adjusted. 

Entries of public land 

409 

421 

421 

409 

409 

409 

397 

377 

397 

397 

337 

38.> 

received,examined, and 













disposed of. 

20,127j20,127 

20,127 

20,127 

20, 127 

20,127 

20,127 

20; 127 

20,127 

20,127 

20.127 

20,127 

Character of business. 

J uly. 

Aug., 

1885. 

Sept., 

Oct., 

Nov., 

Dec., 

Jan., 

Feb., 

Mar., 

Apr., 

May, 

Jime, 

1885. 

1885. 

1885, 

1885. 

1885.. 

1886. 

1886. 

1886. 

1886. 

1886. 

18b6. 

Letters written. 

1, 850 

1, 850 
602 

1, 972 
641 

1, 973 
642 

1, 971 

1, 973 
642 

1. 727 

1,726 
560 

1, 788 
591 

1, 739 
560 

1, 740 
561 

1,724 

556- 

Accounts adjusted 
Entries of public land 

'601 

641 

561 










received, examined,and 













disposed of. 

20, 253 

20, 253 

20, 253 

20, 253 

20, 253 

20, 253 

20, 253 


20, 253 

20, 253 

20, 253 




Character of business. 

July, 

Aug., 

1886. 

Sept., 

Oct., 

Nov., 

Dec., 

Jan., 

Feb., 

Mar., 

Apr., 

May, 

June, 

1886. 

1886. 

1880. 

1886. 

1886. 

1887. 

1887. 

1887. 

1887. 

1887. 

1887. 

Letters written. 

1, 785 
396 

1, 913 
433 

1, 976 
437 

1,912 

428 

1, 913 
420 

1,911 

1,915 

427 

1, 909 





Accounts adjusted. 

428 

'41.3 





Entries of public land 










received, examined,and 













disposed of. 

18. 30918. 3C8il8.312 

20, 885 

20, 887 

20, 888 

14, 052 

13, 312 





























































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


253 


The following statement shows the average number of employes (inclndiug chief 
of division) in the accounts division of the General Land Oliice. Department of the 
Interior, during the periods specified: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J line. 

July. 

Aug. 

Seiit. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

30 

30 

30 

30 

30 

30 

32 

33 

33 

32 

32 

32 

1885.. 

31 

31 

31 

31 

30 

30 

30 

30 

32 

32 

32 

32 

1886.. 

1887 (to Mar. 1). 

‘28 

30 

28 

30 

‘29 

28 

28 

28 

28 

30 

31 

30 

30 

30 









. 




\ ^---- 

! 

j No account has been kept in this division of the business performed and disposed 
of by each employd” during the j^ears 1864, 1885, 1886, and 1887, until since March 1. 

' 1887. 

The presumptive reason “ why such account has not been kept” is, that no order 
to that effect issued until that date. 

It follows that the required statement cannot be given, except for the period of the 
I fiscal year intervening between March 1, 1887, and the date of report. 

The weekly reports of business transacted by each emi)loy6, as required by Depart- 
1 ment order' of March 1, lb87, is a numerical report of letters written, accounts ad- 
I justed, Y>ages copied, and pages type-written, &c. It would be manifestly unjust to 
accountants in the accounts division of the General Land office to attempt to show, as 
between clerks, by whom the most or least “ business is transacted ” in any gi ven time. 
^‘Accounts” is the highest generalization of classes of work, each of which may vary 
I so widely one from the other in points of time consumed in adjustment, character of 
computation, contingent examinations, short or long, simple or complex accounts, 

; that it is impossible to state with even approximate accuracy which accountant 
j transacts most or least business. 

Two clerks, for instance, of equal capacity may work, one as hard as the other, dur¬ 
ing the seven working hours of a day, or the forty-two working hours of a week, and 
• one adjust three accounts and the otker ten accounts. A statement showing the 
I numerical fact would be essentially misleading as to the amount of work done, be¬ 
cause the three require as much work as the ten accounts, and the clerk who adjusts 
I the three accounts may work harder than the clerk who computes the seven accounts, 
because of the more difficult character of the three accounts. The figures indicate 
that one clerk does more than three times as much work as the other. This state of the 
case is true also of writing letters. Two letters may be written, one in twenty min¬ 
utes ; the same number of pages of another, that requires the investigation of records, 
of law, of rules, and regulations relating to its subject-matter, in its preparation 
may consume seven hours. Some accounts adjusted in this division require three 
: months of continuous work. A three-line telegram to the Commissioner of the Gen- 
i eral Laud Office from a chairman of a committee of Congress, referred to this division 
requiring a certain statement, has consumed a w^eek or more for an accountant to pre- 
,! pare it. 

Figures will decide between type-writers and copyists as'to which does most and 
: least work in a given period by counting and reporting the number of pages written 
j by each ; but not so as to accountants. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the accounts division of the General Land Office, De- 
1' partment of the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. 0 +’ em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
No. of (lays 
present. 

Average i 
No.ofhouj's 
employed j 
daily. 

No. of 1 
working 
days. 1 

i 

Average 

days' 

absent. 

Igg4 . 

31 i 

246/5 

7 1 

1 

207 1 

60f?5 

Igg5 . 

31 

25711 

7 i 

3011 

43|i 

igg6 . 

29 

264 jg 

7 1 

305 ! 

mi 

Tag? /to March D . 

30 

444^^- 

7 1 

48 1 

. Hih 




.J 

I 



The official day is from 9 to 4 (seven hours); but there is allowed to the employes 
thirty minutes, from 12 m. to 12.30 p. m., for lunch, which is almost invariably availed 
• of, thus making the. average office hours not to exceed 6^. 



























































254 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present tor the least number of days 
in the accounts division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1. 


*2951 

*279^ 

*285f 

*48 


tl87f 

t232f 

1244^ 

mh 



* Accountant. ^ t Copyist, + Clerk class one, miscellaneous work. 


MINEKAL DIVISION. 

Heport of the mineral division, General Land Office, on the methods of business and worh, 
as requested hy Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 
23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted iu the mineral division 
of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) Mineral and coal entries, 

(2) Contests. 

(3) Quasi-contests. 

(4) Agricultural entries, involving mineral character of the land. 

(5) Railroad lists referred to this division for examination, involving the mineral 
character of the land. 

(6) Petitions for suit by the United States to set aside mineral patents. 

(7) Preparing certified copies of papers, plats, and records, 

(8) Correspondence. 

(9) Miscellaneous matters— e. g., relinquishments, requests by registers and re¬ 
ceivers and surveyors-geueral for instructions, &c. 

If any of the above items are not included in the tabulated statements following^ 
it is because no separate account has been kept of work done under them. 

The various classes of business resulting from action on these items are fully shown 
in the following statement of methods of transacting business: 

Statement showing iu detail the methods of transacting business in the mineral di¬ 
vision of the General Land Office, iu the Department of the Interior, including one 
or more items of the ijriucipal business matters transacted in said division, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the business matter iu the General Land Office, and then 
showing iu consecutis^e order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, 
and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Letters relating to matters coming before this division are first received in the 
general registering room, where the letter and inclosures are numbered and entered in 
the proper registers. Except the abstracts of sales and pa])ers relating to coal entries, 
which are first sent to the division of accounts, and to the division of public lands 
for ]) 08 ting, after which they are brought to this division, such part of the daily mail 
received at this office as involves mineral questions is then regularly referred to this 
division and placed on the desk of the chief, who inspects it for the ])urpo8e of making 
proper reference of the various matters and hands it to the docket clerk. 

(1) A general supervision over all the work of the division is exercised by the chief 
of division, who is responsible for the management of the division and the conduct 
of the business within its jurisdiction. He inspects the daily mail upon its receipt 
and properly refers it for action, gives directions in regard to the assignment of work, 
and passes upon all letters and decisions submitted by the clerks, placing his initials 
upon them, if apinoved by him. He submits weekly summary and detailed reports 
to the chief clerk, showing the state of work in the division, and the progress made 
during the week, and the work done by each clerk in the division. He also has 
charge of the discipline of the clerks and submits a daily and weekly rex)ort showing 
attendance and absences. 

















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


255 


(2) Each letter is entered m tlfe register of letters received, fiiul also, if relating 
to a contest or quasi-contest case, upon the contest or quasi-contest docket. Tbe let¬ 
ters of that day are then handed to the file clerk for distribution among the clerks to 
whom they have heen assigned by the chief. After official action is taken upon each 
letter it is indorsed by the clerk with a note, showing such action, and returned to 
the docket clerk, who notes such action opposite the entry of said letter in the regis¬ 
ter of letters received, and also, if it relates to a contest or quasi-contest case, upon 
those dockets. The contest and quasi-contest dockets show all letters received and 
all action taken in each case. 

(3) Upon receiving the daily mail from the docket clerk the file clerk distributes 
among the various clerks all letters except those forwarding mineral entries, contests, 
or quasi-contests which have not before been pending in the division. The papers 
relating to a new contest or quasi-contest, inclosed in a properly indorsed jacket, are 
placed in the appropriate files to await action in their regular order. A new mineral 
entry he enters npon the general docket of ex parte mineral and coal entries, from 
which work is assigned, giving it tbe proper number in the order of its receipt, and 
he also enters it upon the docket of mineral or coal entries made in tbe particular dis¬ 
trict. He then incloses tbe papers in a jacket, which is properly indorsed, and, after 
sending the register’s final certificate of entry to division C for posting upon tbe tract- 
books, places the case in the unexamined files to await examination in its order upon 
the docket. A protest against an entry is assigned by the chief of division to the 
clerk who may have the entry under consideration, or, if the case has not yet been 
reached in its regular order, is filed with tbe case to which it refers, for examination 
in connection therewith. The receipt of the protest is acknowledged. 

The file clerk has charge of all the files of the division, and sends cases and papers 
to tbe attorney’s room upon x>rox)er requisition by card, and is resx^ousible for the safe 
keeping of the records and x^apers in his charge. 

(4) When an entry, which may embrace a lode claim, x^lacer claim, lode andyilacer 
claim, mill site claim, either sexiarate or in connection with a lode claim or a coal 
claim, is reached in its regular order for examination, the entry is assigned to an ex¬ 
amining clerk for official action. His examination requires a minute investigation 
of the various x^oints hereafter enumerated in a note on page 27 of descrix>tion of pro¬ 
ceedings in tbe Maid of Erin case. If he finds, ux)on examination, that no objection 
to the issue of x>atent exists, he indorses the jacket of the case, “ Entry aiix)roved,’^ 
with date of ax')proval and his initials. The x>ai>er8 in the case then go to the board 
in charge of the issue of mineral patents. 

If, on the other hand, the examiner of the case should find the entry defective in 
any resy^ect, a decision in the form of a letter, addressed to the register and receiver 
or surveyor-general, stating the defects, and instructing them to call upon tbe claim¬ 
ants for supx^lemental evidence, or requiring amendment of tbe survey, is prepared by 
tbe examiner. This decision is submitted to the chief of the division for his apyiroval.. 
If he axiproves it he x>litces his initials thereon and sends it to the board of law ex¬ 
aminers for their consideration. In excexitional cases it is also submitted to the law 
clerks. If signed by the Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner it is x>i‘^s8-cox)ied 
and mailed. It is also from the x>res8 copy-book coxiied into the x^ermanent records,, 
comxiared, and indexed. The entry papers are then yjlaced in the suspended files to 
await further action liy claimants. If claimants are rextresented here by attorney, 
such attorney is notified of the action by letter, similarly yirepared by the examiner, 
axiproved, and signed. If not, the parties are notified by the register and receiver 
or survey or-general. 

[Note. —All letters and decisions take the course here described, and such descrip¬ 
tion will not hereafter be repeated in this statement of methods. As a rule, however, 
personal letters are not recorded in the x^^rJtiituent records, but they are x>rox)erly in¬ 
dexed therein after being x^ress-copicd.] 

Ui)on the receipt of additional evidence the case is again examined, in connection 
therewith, and apyiroved, again suspended, or held for cancellation, as may be neces¬ 
sary. h'requently several such examinations are required belore the entry is finally 
disx^osed of by the issue of xuitent or cancellation. If no ayii^eal is filed within the 
time prescribed by the rules of xu’actice from a decision holding the entry for cancel¬ 
lation, the entry is canceled and the cancellation is noted on the records of this office, 
and the register and receiver are notified thereof by letter, in which they arc in¬ 
structed to note the cancellation on their records and notify the x^arties in interest. 

From final action by this office upon any x»oint involved in a case, at any stage 
of the x>roceeding8, the case may go to the Secretary of the Interior on apy^eal and be 
afterwards disposed of according to his decision. At all stages notice ot action is 
given to the parties in interest or their attorneys of record. Where appeal is taken, 
under the rules, a letter is prex^ared, with a schedule of all the x^apers, and the entire 
record is forwarded to tbe Secretary for his examination. 

(5) A contest .case is one in which, because of conflicting claims, a hearing has been 
ordered and testimony taken before or under the direction of the register and receiver. 




25G 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The entire record, including tlie testimony, exhibits, and all papers relating to claims 
involved, is forwarded to this office with the decision of the register and receiver. 

When reached in its regular order the case is given to an examining clerk, who ex¬ 
amines the whole record, the testimony frequently covering several hundred pages, 
and prepares a decision, addressed to the register and receiver, upon the law and the 
facts, which is approved and signed as above described. Parties in interest are no¬ 
tified, and appeal to the Secretary of the Interior may be taken under the rules of 
practice. When a final decision is made by the Secretary, or a decision ot this office 
becomes final by failure to appeal, the case is regularly closed by letter to that effect, 
addressed to the register and receiver, the parties in interest are notified, and the 
jtapers are then x>laced in the closed contest files. 

(6) Quasi-contests are those cases in Avhich an appeal is taken from the relusal of 
the register and receiver to allow api)lication to be filed or entry to be made for cer- 
taid land, or from a decision of the surveyor-general relating to survey. As there 
are no contesting x^arties, the matter is one between the Government and the ap¬ 
pellant. 

When a quasi-contest is reached in its regular order it is assigned to an examining 
elerk for action, and a letter in the nature of a decision iw x>rex)ared, as above described 
in case of a contest, after thorough examination of the x>apers and records. Ax>i)eal 
may be taken, as in contests, and the case is similarly closed upon final decision. 

(7) Entries of public lauds, under other than the mining laws, are assigned to other 
divisions of this office for examination and action. Where, in the course of such ex¬ 
amination, it is discovered that the land was returned as mineral ux)on official survey, 
that affidavits alleging the mineral character of the laud have been filed, or that any 
Xmrtiou of the laud is claimed under the mining laws, the entry is referred to this 
division for adjudication as to the mineral question. 

Uxmn its receipt it is entered upon the docket of agricultural eniries involving 
mineral questions and assigned to an examining clerk, who makes a thorough inves¬ 
tigation of the facts as disclosed by x)ax)ers on file, entries and notations on the tract- 
books, the connected diagrams and the plats and field-notes of official surveys. If 
it regularly ax^pears that the laud is non-mineral an indorsement to that effect is 
made upon the x^apers by the examining clerk, over his initials, and the case is re¬ 
turned to the division from which it was referred. In other cases a letter is x)repared 
by the clerk, and ax)X>roved and signed as above described. Such letter may order 
hearing to determine disituted facts, may require affidavits showing the non-mineral 
character of the land, or, where the law or regulations requiring notice of the claim 
have not been comxilied with, may return the x>ai)ers for such notice to be given. Ap- 
Xieals lie from final decisions to the Secretary of the Interior, and the matter is finally 
closed in this division by the return of the entry to the division referring it, indorsed 
Avith the action here taken, or by the cancellation of the entry after due notice to 
Xiarties in interest. 

(8) Where a list of selections made by a railroad comiAany under a Congressional 
grant includes lauds situated in regions knoAvu to contain minerals, and subject to 
disijosal under the miniiig laAvs, such list is referred by the railroad divisitui to this 
division before xmtenting, for adjudication as to the mineral questions involved. Each 
list contains, as a rule, many thousand acres, and each smallest legal subdivision em¬ 
braced therein is examined, in connection Avith the tract-books, x>lat8, returns, &c., 
in the same manner and with the same care as in case of an agricultural entry, described 
aboA'e. 

If necessary to determine the character of the land, additional evidence is required 
or a hearing before the register and receiver ordered. If any of the land is found to 
be mineral and not subject to the grant, the railroad claim is to that extent rejected 
by formal decision addressed to the register and receiver, and due notice is given to 
the comx)any. From such decision appeal may be taken to the Secretary. 

(9) Miscellaneous matters, including x>otition8 for suit by the United States, coal 
D. S. relinquishments, questions submitted by the register and receiv'er or surv^eyor- 
general for instructions, &c., are regarded as current business and are taken ux) at 
once for examination and action. 

Where a petition for the institution of suit to set aside a x^atent is received, either 
by reference from the Secretary of the Interior or from the Attorney-General of the 
United States through the Secretary of the Interior, it is considered in connection with 
the record in the x^atented case, x^articular regard being had to the following x^oints: 
Whether the affidavits accompanying the petition are sufficient to OA’-erthrow the XJre- 
sumx)tiou arising from the evidence filed in the case during the regular course of the 
])roceedings; whether the United States have any x^reseut interest in the matter; 
whether the rights of innocent i^urchasers have intervened; whether the i)etitioner 
has an adequate remedy by private suit; and, if so, Avhelher he may not properly be 
left to seek such remedy ; whether there is a probability of a suit by the Government 
being successful; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, it Avould be good 
policy for the Government to attack the title it has granted. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


257 


The whole matter having been carefully investigated by an examining clerk, to whom 
the petition has been referred by the chief of division, he prepares a report, addressed 
to the Secretary of the Interior, approved and signed as above described, stating the 
facts in full, and either recommending or not recommending the institution of suit as 
prayed. The report is press-copied in a special i)res8-copy book, copied into a special 
permanent record, and forwarded to the Secretary, with the petition and accompany¬ 
ing papers. Such letter being regarded as a coniidential communication to the Sec¬ 
retary, notice thereof is not given by this office to the parties interested. 

(10) By far the greater number of mineral claims are surveyed in more or less irregu¬ 
lar tracts which have no conformity to the general system of public surveys. A 
mineral survey is frequently overlapped by half a dozen or more conflicting surveys. 
In order to prevent confusion and avoid disposing of the same land under ditferent 
laws or more than once under the same law, it becomes necessary, therefore, to have 
connected diagrams, showing the situation of the mining claims as officially surveyed, 
with reference to other mining claims and, where the public surveys have been ex¬ 
tended over the land, with reference to the legal subdivisions of those surveys. This 
compilation must be continually revised and amended, so as to show the changes made 
by resurveys and the additions made by new mineral surveys and the sales of mineral 
lands. This work requires the best services of skilled draughtsmen. 

(11) All mineral patents are prepared in and issued from this division. 

After an entry has been regularly approved and turned over to the board in charge 
of the issue of mineral patents, as before indicated, the case is assigned to a clerk who, 
from data found in the papers, writes the draft of the patent, the description of the 
property to be conveyed being generally obtained from official tield-notes of survey 
approved by the United Stales Surveyor-General. 

For every draft of a patent prepared, except in the very rare cases of entries made by 
legal subdivisions, a copy of at least one official plat must be made. After the draft 
is prepared it is examined in connection with the papers in the case by said board, 
and anj’- errors found are pointed out and the necessary corrections made. Where 
copy of official plat is made it is also examined by this board for the purpose of de¬ 
termining the accuracy of the lines with reference to courses and distances and con¬ 
flicts with intersecting lines and claims. If found correct in all respects by said board 
the draft of the patent is properly numbered. Letters are then prepared and sub¬ 
mitted to the Commissioner for his signature, addressed to the ^‘President’s secretary 
to sign land pate*.ta” and the Recorder of the General Land Office, requesting their 
signatures to said draft of the patent. After these letters have been signed they are 
sent to said officers, and the draft of the patent is at the same time submitted to them 
by the Commissioner for their signatures. 

"(12) Upon its return to this division, signed and sealed, the patent is recorded in 
full in the official record of mineral patents, and the board then compares the record 
with the xiatent. 

The plat for the x^atent and the copy made in the record are made by draughtsmen. 
The patent records are indexed by the recording clerks, both by names of claims and 
of claimants. 

(13) The patent is then sent to the register and receiver for delivery to the x>erson 
surrendering the duplicate receiver’s receipt, unless the receipt should iireviously 
have been flled in this office, in which case the patent is forwarded directly to the 
person who flled it or to such address as he may have indicated. 

(14) Certilied copies of paxiers, x)lats, or records on flle in this division are made by 
a copyist or draughtvsman, or both, and compared by the board above mentioned. A 
certiflcate properly describing the exemplitication is then prepared by an examiner 
and attached to the copy, and with an accompanying letter of transmittal is submitted 
to the chief of divisioiq the board of law examiners, and signed by the commissioner. 
The certiflcate and letter are then press-copied and the copy, with certificate attached, 
is sent to the recorder’s division that the seal of the office may be attached. Upon its 
return the letter and certified copy are mailed. 

(15) A large amount of current correspondence is answered in this division, consisting 
of inquiries in regard to the status of cases, general inquiries under the mining laws, 
<fec. The letters a re assigned by the chief of division to the docket or file clerk or an 
examining clerk for answer, which frequently involves extended search of the records. 
Proxier inquiries are carefully answered by letter. Such letters to private individ¬ 
uals, if the letter is of sufficient importance, are recorded in the permanent records 
from the press copy. Action upon relinquishments, requests for instructions, &.c.,is 
taken by an examining clerk by letter. Particular care is required in issuing in¬ 
structions to registers and receivers or surveyors-general. 

4402 INT- 17 








258 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Case of the application of IT. A. JV. Tabor ei al., for patent upon the Maid of Erin Lode 
mininf! claim, filed in the Leadrille, Colorado, land office on February 5, 1880. Proceed¬ 
ings therein, given as a sample item. 

December 4, 1880. Letter dated November 29,1880, received from register at Leadville, inclosing pro¬ 
test of 8. (t. Wight et al.. owners of the Vanderbilt Lode mining claim, against issuing a patent 
upon the Maid of Erin application, alleging failure to comply with the law in t he matter of (1) dis¬ 
covery of mineral, (2) sinking a discovery shaft and (3) marking and discribing the boundaries of 
the location. Sent to the registering room and numbered 1880-76278, indexed in index volume 53, 
at ]iage 92, registered in register and receiver vidume 15. Leadville office, and sent to the mineral 
division (N). Assigned by D. K. Sickels, a clerk of cla.ss four designated as chief of of division, to 
himself for action, and handed to the docket clerk, entered by him in the division register of letters 
received, vol. 6, page 61, and given to said Sickels. 

[Notk.— All other letters hereinafter mentioned as received at this office were similarly treated x»rior 
to their receipt in tins division, and such action by the registering room, which is a part of an¬ 
other division, will not, therefore, be described.] 

December 30,1880. Letter prepared by Sickels, returning protest to register and receiver and ordering 
a hearing to detei miue the facts upon the points mentioned therein. Initialed by him as chief of 
divi.sion, examined by board of letter reviewers, signed by the Commissioner, copied in press cofiy- 
ing book, cojiied therefrom by a copyist into the permanent l ecord of letters sent, vol. 37, page 484, 
and mailed. Letter from register, indorsed with a statement of action taken, returned to docket 
clei k and by him placed in the files, after noting action on register of letters received. 

December 31, 1880 Letter ])repared by Sickels, advising A. W. Kucker, prolestants’ attorney, of 
above action. Initialed by Sickels as chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, signed 
by the Commissioner, iiress copied, cojiied into permanent records and mciled. 

January 11,1881. Letter dated January 5, 1881, received from register, acknowledging receipt of office 
letter of December 30, 1880. Designated 1881-2171 by registering room. As.signed by chief of 
division to himself, entered by docket clerk, as above, examined by SickeLs and returned by him to 
docket clerk to be placed in the files without answer, none being required. 

July 12, 1881. Letter dated July 6, 1881, received from register, forwarding record of hearing, 21 
paiiers, including 76 iiages of closely printed testimony. Designated as 1881-4.5856 in registering 
room. Entered by docket clerk in register of letters received, and also, because hearing hail been 
had. entered on contest docket, vol. 5, page 84, No. 98. Inclosed in a jacket indorsed “Conte.stNo. 
98, Vanderbilt Lode v. Maid of Erin Lode, Leadville, Colorado,” handed to the file clerk and by 
him placed in the files of contests awaiting examination. 

[Note.— Each letter received in the case, after this, was assigned to some clerk by the chief of division 
and entered by the docket clerk bo'th upon the I’egister of letters received ami upon the contest 
docket. J 

July 1.5, 1881. Letter dated July 10, 1881, received from A. W. Rucker, Leadville, requesting oral 
"argument in the case. Designated as 1881-40794. Assigned to Sickels. 

July 31.1881. Telegram received from Rucker, asking argument on August 15, 1881. De.signated as 
1881-50625. Assigned to Sickels. 

Augmst 1,1881. Telegram to Rucker prepared by Sickels, initialed by him as chief of division, signed 
by comraissionerT press copied, copied into permanent records, aiid taken to telegraph office, stat¬ 
ing that instructions w’ould be sent by mail. Action indorsed on telegram from Rucker, which 
was then given to docket clerk for filing with case. 

[Note.— The regular action in case of each communication from this office regarding the contest is. 
after the letter IS signed, as follows: Copied in pres.s-copy book and mailed, conied therefrom by 
copyist into peimanent records, action noted upon the letter replied to and the contest jacket by 
the clerk who prepared the letter or telegram. All papers handed to docket clerk, who notes the 
action upon the contest docket and register of letters received, and hands the iiapers to the file 
clerk, who places them in the files. Such action will not, therefore, be recapitulated in case of 
each letter in the following description.) 

August 1,1881. Letter dated July 30, 1881, received from E. C. Ford, city, entering his sippearance as 
attorney for Tabor et al. Designated as 1881—50549. Assigneil to Sickels- 

August 2, i88L Letter prepared by Sickels, initialed by him as chief of division, examined by board 
of law examiners, and signed by Commissioner, addiessed to Ford, acknowledging j-eceipt of his 
appearance. 

August 2, 1881. Letter prepared by Sickels, initialed by him as chief of division, examined by board 
of letter reviewers, and signed by the Commissioner, addressed to Rucker, pointing out the pro¬ 
cedure by which, under the rules of practice, he might obtain oral argument. 

August 17, 1881. Letter (1881-54450) dated August 9, 1881, received from Rucker, giving notice of 
argument on August 24, 1881. Assigned to Sickels and filed with case without action. ” 

September 5, 1881. Letter (1881-58762) dated Seiitember 1, 1881, received from Rucker, inclosing 
argument. Assigned to Sickels and filed with case without answer. 

September 24, 1881. Letter (1881-62481) dated September 13. 1881, received from Rucker, asking to be 
informed by telegraph of action when taken. Assigned to Sickels and filed Avilh the case with- 
out answer. 

September 29, 1881. Argument (1881-6.3425) dated September 20, 1881, received from Ford. Assigned 
to Sickels and filed with ca.se without answer 

October 29. 1881. Telegram (1881-70229) received from Rucker, asking that decision be withheld until 
his arrival. Filed Avith case AV’ithout answer. 

November 9, 1881. The whole record having been examined by Joseph Tyssow.ski, a clerk of class 3 
a decision 36 pages in length, addressed to the register aiid receiver, Avas prepared by him, ini¬ 
tialed by the chief of division, examined by the board of law examiners, and signed b.y tiie Com- 
mi.S8ioner. This decision reviewed the te.stimony and held, as matter of fact, that the protestants 
had not substantiated their allegations, and, as matter of law, that the evidence introduced to 
shoAV superior riglits in the Vanderbilt location could not then be considered, under the statute 
the sixty days Avithin which adverse rights could be as.serted having ex^iiri'd, that a discovery of 
mineral in the so-called ‘‘Discovery Shaft” is not essential, if discovery is made Avithiu the boilnd- 
aries of the claim before adverse rights have attached, and that an error in the descriptioii in the 
location notice, which is not misleading, does not render the location void, and for these reasons 
dismissed the protest, 

November 9, 1881. Letter similarly prepared, approved, and .signed, addressed to Rucker advi.sin‘>- 
him. " ’ 

November 9, 1881. Letter similarly prepared, approved, and signed, addressed to Ford advisin" 
him. ’ 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


259 


November 29, 1881. Letter (1881-70942) dated November 23, 1881, received from register, forwarding 
nineteen papers relating to mineral entry No. 834, which had that day been allowed by the regis¬ 
ter at the land office at Leadville, upon tlie Maid of Erin application, assigned to the docket clerk, 
entered upon register of letters received, noted on contest docket, handed to tile clerk, entered on 
register of mineral entries from Le^idville and upon general docket of mineral entries. No. 3511, 
jacketed, and tiled with mineral entries awaiting examination. 

December 1, 1881. Motion (1881-77548) and affidavits, thirty-live papers, received from Rucker, asking 
review and reconsideration of office decision, alleging that said decision is contrary to the law and 
Department decisions, and against the evidence in the ease; that illegal, imiiroper, and perjured 
evidence was considered and that evidence has been newly discovered; also asking that additional 
testimony be taken, because the condition of the property at the time of the hearing did not allow 
a full examination thereof; that the testioiony taken by the stenographer was not wholly correct, 
and that abandonment of the Maid of Erin location could be shown. Assigned to Tyssowski. 

December 2, 1881. Argument (1881-77744) dated December 1, 1881, tiled by Ford against said motion. 
Assigned to Tyssowski. 

December 3, 1881. Brief (1881-78027) tiled by Rucker in support of said motion. Assigned to Tyssowski. 

December 3, 1881. Letter prepared by Tyssowski. addressed to Rucker, initialed by chief of division, 
examined by board of letter reviewers, and signed by the Commissioner, overruling the motion for 
leview, because a new tr ial will not be giauted, under the l ules of law, on the ground that the 
vei'dict was against the weight of the evidence if there was some on both sides w'hich was contra¬ 
dictory ; that a. re-examination of the testimony shows no error, and that protestauts were estopped 
from questioning the correctness of the testimony by the previous stipulation of Rucker that it 
should be treated as regular and con ect; ahso denying the motion to take further testimony, be¬ 
cause it is not shown that the additional evidence could not, with due diligence, have been pre¬ 
sented at the foriuei' hearing, and such evidence would be merely cumulative. 

December 3, 1881. Letter similarly prepared, approved, and signed, inclosing copy of said riTling to 
register and receiver. 

December 3, 1881. Letter similarly prepared, approved, and signed, advising Ford of said ruling. 

December 6, 1881. Appeal from office decisions to the Secretary of the Interior (1881-78921) tiled by 
Rucker. Referreil to Tyssowski. 

December 6, 1881. Letter prepared by Tyssow.ski, addressed to the register and receiver, initialed by 
chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, and signed by the Commissioner, declin¬ 
ing to entertain said appeal on the ground that a protestant has no right of appeal. 

December (1, 1681. Separate letters, similarly x>repared, approved, and signed, addressed to Rucker & 
Ford, advising them of this action. 

December 21, 1831. Communication (1881-82700) dated December 20, 1881, received from the Secretary 
of the Interior, stating that the lu otestants have filed in the Department a motion for a certiorari, 
and directing that the paper s in the case be certified and forwarded. Assigned to F. P. McDer¬ 
mott, a clerk of class 1. 

December 23, 1881. Letter prejiared by McDermott, addressed to the Secretary of the Interior, ini¬ 
tialed by chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, and signed by the Commissioner, 
forwarding jiapers as directed, pi-operly scheduled. 

December 23, 1881. Separate letters, similarly prepared, approved, and signed, addressed to Rucker 
and Foul, advising them of such action. 

January 20, 1882. Decision (1882-5556) dated January 18, 1882, received from the Secretary, directing 
that a rehearing be had, that all the facts may be fully before the Department, and limiting the 
testimony to be taken at such hearing to “ the discovery of mineral upon the claim of the Maid of 
Erin lode, or in its discovery shaft, i>rior either to the date of its location or of its relocation.” 
Assigned to Ty.ssowski. 

January 23, 1882. Letter pi epared by Tyssowski, addressed to register and receiver, inclosing a copy 
of said decision and ordering a rehearing thereunder. Initialed by chief of division, examined by 
board of laAA' examiners, and signed by Commissioner. 

Januaiy 23, 1882. Separate letters, similarly prepared, approved, and signed, addressed to Rucker and 
Ford, advising them of such action. 

March 17, 1882. Letter (1882-22407) dated March 17, 1882, received from Th<'S. H. Sherman, city, ask¬ 
ing to be notified when notice of hearing is received. Assigned to Tyssowski and filed with the 
case. 

March 23, 1882. Letter (1882-23997) dated March 18, 1882, received from register, asking instructions 
relative to heading and desiring the return of the testimony taken at former hearing. Assigned 
to Tyssowski. . » 

March 25, 1882. Letter x>repared by Tyssowski, addressed to register and receiver, initialed by chief 
of diA’ision, examined by board of law examiners, and signed by the Commissioner, returning testi¬ 
mony as requested, and instructing the local officers that they cannot exclude e\ idence that either 
party may desire to introduce, but that such evidence should be received subject to objection 
under the ordinary rules of evidence, also that their decision should be based only upon that tes¬ 
timony Avhich is regarded by them as material to the issue. 

May 8, 1882. Letter (1882-36323) dated May 3, 1882, received from register, forwarding stipulation 
of attorneys that record may be forwitrded immediately to the General Land Office. liledwith 

case. . , . .r 

May 9, 1882. Letter (1882-36629) dated May 2,1882, received from register and receiver, forwarding 
record and testimony (248 closely printed pages) taken at the rehearing had belore them. As¬ 
signed to Tyssowski. ^ ■ 11 

May 11,1882. Scqiarate letters, prepared by Tyssowski, initialed by chief of division, examined by 
board of letter reviewers, and signed by Commissioner, addressed to Ford, Rucker, and Sherman, 
advising them of receipt of testimony. i ^ i -n-i i -.i 

June 10, 1882. Argument (1882-46110) received from Rucker and Belford and Reed. Filed with 

Junrn,’l882. Argument ( 1882 - 48127 ) dated June 16, 1882, received from Ford. Filed with case. 

J une 20, 1882. Argument, in rexdy (1882-48862) dated June 20, 1882, received from Rucker. Filed 

June 30, 1882. Letter (1882-51755) dated June 20. 1832, addressed to the Secretary of the Interior by 
Hon. J. B. ChafiFee, urging a final decision, received at this office by reference from the Department. 

Filed with case. , . ^ ■ i i 

July 6, 1882. Decision x>T’epared by D. K. Sickels, addressed to legister and receiver, initialed by 
him as cluef of diA’ision, examined by board of letter revieAvers, and signed by (commissioner, 
holding tliat it was incumbent ux>on Uie protestants to sbow tbat mineral was not discoveied 
within the limits of the claim XUior to the location or the ridocation, and that the apxuicants lor 
patent had acted fraudulently in making the location and subsequent proofs but that examina¬ 
tion of tbe testimony taken at both hearings does not shoAV those lacts, and, thereiore, dismissing 
the iiiotest. 






260 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


July 6, 1882. Separnte letters, similarly prepared, approved, and signeil, addressed to Cliaffee, hher 
man, Ford, Kucker, and Ilelford, advisinji them of such action. 

July 12, 1882. Appeal from decision last mentionod (1882-54789), tiled by Kucker and Heed, alleging 
"a number of errors of law and fact. Assigned to Sickels. 

July 12, 1882. Decision, addre.ssed to tlio register and receiver, prepared by Sickels, initialed by 
him as chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, and signed by Commissioner, de¬ 
clining to entertain the appeal on the ground that protestants have no right of :ip]>eal. 

July 12, 1882. Separate letters, similarly ]»repared, approved, and signed, addressed to Ford, Sherman, 
and Chaffee, and Kucker and Keed, advising them of such action. 

July 18, 1882. Communication (1882-55004) dated .luly 12, 1882, received from the Secretary of the 
Interior, inclosing applicatioii for certioiari by protestants and directing that the I’ccord be certi- 
tied to the Department. Assigned to II. F. Clark, a copyist at .$900, acting as tile clerk. 

July 15, 1882. Letter prepared bv'Clark, addre.ssed to the Secretary of the Interior, initialetl by chief 
of division, examined by board of law examiners, and signed by the (Commissioner, foi warding 
paiiers as direeted, properly scheduled. 

July 15, 1882. Separate letters, similarly prepared, approved, aud signed, addre.ssed to the register and 
receiver, aud Sherman, Ford, Kucker, Didfoiil, and Chaffee, advising them of such ac’tion. 

September 13, 1882. Letter (1882-717G4) dated September 11. 1882, received from E. C. Ford, inclosing 
duplicate receiver's receipt aud askiug that patent be sent to his address. Assigned to Mr.s. 
Nellie Kaplev, a copyist at $900, act ing as docket clerk. 

September 15, 1882. Letter prepared by Mrs. Kapley, addres.sed to Ford, initialed by Jos. Tys- 
sowski, acting chief of division, examined by hoanl of law examiners, and signed by the Com¬ 
missioner. acknowledging receipt of preceding letter and inclosure. 

February 23, 1883. Letter (1883-17422) dated February 23, 1883, received fiora E. C. Ford, asking the 
return to him of .said duplicate receipt. Assigned to II. F. Clark, .aclerk of class 1. 

February 23, 1883. Letter prepared by said clerk under instructions from chief clerk, initialed by 
acting chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, aud signed by the Commissioner, re¬ 
turning the duplicate receipt toFoid. 

March 22. 1883. Decision (1883-2G535) dated March 19, 1883, received from Secret.ary of the Interior, 
directing another rehearing in the case, becau.se the Vanderbilt owuei s had .suppressed evidence by 
refusing to witnesses access to the working shaft on the claim, aud directing that the Vanderbilt 
paities be, notiffed that if lh('y refuse access to that shaft tlndr piotest will he dismissed. Special 
inquiry was directed, first, as to “ when the Maid ot Erin claimants discovered miueral outside of 
their discovery .shaft, and withiu the boundarie.s of their claim, aud at what point; second, when 
the Vanderbilt claimants di.scovercd mineral within the boundar y of their claim, and at what point; 
and third, when the Vanderbilt claimants discovered miueral within the boundaries of the Maid of 
Erin claim.” Assigned to A. (1. Barnes, a, clerk of class 3. 

March 27, 1883. Letter luepared by Barnes, addr e.ssed to r egister aud receiver, initialed by Jos. Tys- 
sow.ski, a clerk of edass 4, acting as chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, aud 
.signed by thri Conimi.s.sioner-, inclosing a copy of the Secretary’s decision and ordering a rehearing 
thereunder, as directed. 

Mar ch 27, 1883. Separ ate letters, similar ly pr e])ared, approved and signed, addressed to Rucker, Ford 
and Sherman, advising them of sueh action. 

February IG, 1884. Decision (1884-18394) dated Febrarary 15, 1884, received from the Secr’otary of the 
Interior, to whom tho testimony (221 closely written pages) taken at the third hear ing before 
the register aud receiver liad been directly forwarded, holding that by the lailirre ot tho Vander¬ 
bilt claimants to adver.so the application of the Maid of Erin they admitted that they had no right 
to the }>roporty and cannot now he heard to .set up either an eqrritable or legal title to the luemi.ses 
called the Maid of Erin claim ; that mineral need not be found in the ‘‘discoveTy shaft ” of the Maid 
of Erin, and that nrinmat had Ireen di.scovercd in the “ working shaft ’’ betore the reloc;rtion ; that 
be finds no farlure on the part of the applicants to confor-m to the irrovisioits of the law couceruing 
the entry (if miueral lauds, and, therefore, dismissing the protest and sustaiuing the entry. As¬ 
signed to Duane E. Fox, a cler k of class 2. 

February IG, 1884. Letter prepared by h'ox, addressed to the r-egi.st(‘r and recedver, initialed by chief of 
division, examined iry hoard of law examiners, and .signed Iry tho acting (mmmissiouer, inclosing 
a coi>y of said decision of Secretary, aud dkeciing that parties ho notified. 

Febr uary 16,1884. Separate letter.s, .siruilarly jrrepared, apjrroved, audsigrred, addre.ssed to Ford, Kucker, 
Belford, Keed, Rockwell, Sh(urttan, Elihrr Knot, and (J. TI. Harker, advising them of such action. 

Fehnracy 16, 1884. Entry arrd ])aper.s assigned to C. A. Boynton, a. clerk of class 4, for examination of 
the records aud the evidence upon which the entry was allowed. 

Note. —The examination of a miner al entrjMnvolves a careful scrutiuy of tho papers filed iit connec¬ 
tion with tho records of this otlice. irarticnlar atteutioir Ireing devoted to the tbllowing points: 

(1) Citizenship of the clairuauts, and, irr case of an incorjroratedCourpany, evidence of tire incorpora¬ 
tion. 

(2) Authority of agents. 

(3) Regularity and validity of the location and evidence showirrg the discovery of rniner’als. 

(4) Tr ansfers of tit'c under the locatii.n, extending down to date of applicatioii or entry. 

(5) Evidence that a plat and a notice of tho application for patent were conspicuously posted upon the 
claim, that the .same leniained .so posted thereon for the statutory period of sixty days, and that 
proper notice was likewise posted in the local land office aud published in a newspaper, as required 
by law, fur the .same i>eriod, and the .sufficiency of sncli notices. 

(6) Sutficiency of the agreement of the jrublisher to hold the applicants for patent alone responsible 
for clrarges of publication. 

(7) Sworn statement of all clrarges and fees paid by applicants for publication and surveys and of all 
fees and money paid to I’egister and receiver. 

(8) Receiver’s riH'eipt for Tnou(?y paid by claimants, ]noperly describing tlie claim as entered. 

(9) Kogularity of r egister’s cer tificate of entr y. 

(10) Amount expended ly claimants and their gi-antors irr developing the claim and sufficiency of cer¬ 
tificate of sur veyor -gener al showing the MX])euditur e of $500 upon theclarrn. 

(11) Adver se claims fried against rlie application by ovvners of other claims and evidence showing the 
inanner in which th(^ controversy has b(^en terruinated, whether by .judicial decision in a suit un¬ 
der the statirto, or by abandonment, excursion, par tition, or otherwise. 

(12) (lonfliets with rights which have attacltf'd under any other laws of the United States relating to 
the disposal of the public larids, as well as rnider the nnni'ral laws, tire most frtaprent conflicts 
being with State and railroad grants, homesteads, lue-cmptiorrs, town-sites and timber entries and 
scrip locations. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


261 


(13) In case of mill-site entry, evidence that the land is non-mineral is also required. 

(14) In case of placer entry, specific evidence is also required as to the character of the land, charac¬ 
ter and extent of all surface and underground workings, whether placer or lode, nature, situation, 
extent, and value of improvements, and proximity of centers of trade or residence, lodes, or sys¬ 
tems of lodes, mill-seats and salt-springs, &c. 

(15) The oflicial plat and field-notes of the survey, its regularity and correctness, and whether it ac¬ 
curately shows the boundaries of the claim as entered and the rights of claimants, acquired bv 
location, as modified by subsequent transfers, abandonment, adverse proceedings, failure to ad¬ 
verse or otherwise. 

(16) Protests, alleging that the claini.^nts have failed in one or more particulars to comply with the 
law. If a protest has been filed, sufficient in form and substance, and a hearing is necessary to 
determine the disputed facts, an order is sent to the register and receiver to institute such hearing. 
Testimony is then taken, after due notice to all parties, upon which the register and receiver ren¬ 
der a decision and forward the case to this office for examinaiion and action. Hearings may also 
be ordered wifhout protest if examination of the record shows that such action is necessary in 
order to determine conflicting rights or the regularity of the proceedings. From the decision of 
the local officers or of this office appeal may be taken. A protest, if considered insufficient, is dis¬ 
missed by letter. 

February 16,1884. Evidence and case examined by Boynton, and jacket indorsed by him “Proof ap¬ 
proved, February 16,1884, C. A. B.,” and handed to A. L. Pitney, a clerk of class two, for examina¬ 
tion as to survey. 

February 16,1884. Survey of claim examined by Pitney, and letter prepared by him addressed to the 
United States surveyor-general for Colorado, initialed by chief of division, examined by board of 
law examiners, and signed by Acting Commissioner, l eturiiing the plat and field-notes for amend¬ 
ment of survey, so as to show the exclusion of the surface ground in conflict with the “ Clontarf 
lode ” claim, in pursuance of relinquishment filed by the Maid of Erin owners. 

February 16,1884. Letter similarly prepared, examined, and signed, addressed to Ford, advising him 
of such action. 

February 18,1884. Letter (1884-19019) dated February 18, 1884, received from E. C. Ford, requesting 
certified copy of Secretary’s decision of Ft'bruary 15, 1884. Assigned to Clark. 

February 18,1884. Letter yirepared by Clark, addregsed to Ford, iuclosing’copy as requested and stat¬ 
ing the charge therefor to be $5. (Paid.) Initialed by chief of division, examined by board of 
law exflminers, and signed by the Commissioner. 

February 19, 1884. Letter (1884-19593) dated February 19,1884, received from Ford requesting another 
cei tified copy of said decision. Assigned to Clark. 

February 20, 1884. Letter prepared liy Clark, addressed to Ford, inclosing copy as requested, and 
stating the charge therefor to be $5, (Paid), Initiled by chief of division, examined by board of 
law examiners, and signed by the Commis.sioner. 

March 4,1884. Letter (1884-24188) dated February 26, 1884, received from surveyor-general, forwarding 
amended plat and field-notes, showing Clontarf exclusion. Assigned to Pitney. 

March 5, 1884. Jacket of case indorsed by chief clerk: “ Let the patent in this case issue at once. 
L. II. March 5, 1884 ” 

March 5, 1884. Telegram addressed to surveyor-general, prepared by Pitney, initialed by chief of di¬ 
vision, examined by board of law examiners, and signed by Acting Commissioner, directing a new 
plat to be prepared showing exclusion of Clontarf claim and having surveyor-general’s certificate 
attached, dated Februarv 25, 1884, the date of amendment. 

March 5, 1885. Letter, similarly prepared, approved and signed, addressed to surveyor-general, di¬ 
recting restoration of the original plat to its condition before amendment and inclosing it. 

March 7, 1884. Decision (1884-20028) dated March 0, 1884, received from Secretary of Interior denying 
motion for review of his decision of February 15,1884, because (1) protestauts have no .standing be¬ 
fore the Department as litigante, and consequently there is no issue between them and the claim¬ 
ants, and (2) no issue having been made before tlie Depai tment assignments cf error upon a re¬ 
fusal of the Secretary to reverse the Commissioner’s decision, brought before him by certiorari, 
are meaningless. Assigned to Fox. 

March 8, 1884. Letter prepared by Fox, addressed to the register and receiver, promulgating said de¬ 
cision, initialed by Boynton as acting chief of division, examined by board of law examiners, and 
signed bv A.cting Commissioner. This letter, with the following letters of notification, closed of¬ 
ficial action npon the case as a eo7itest, and the papers, excepting those relating to the mineral 
entry as an ex parte case, were placed in the closed contest files and the decisions of the Secretary 
in separate files. 

March 8, 1884. Separate letters, similarly prepared, approved and signed, addressed to Ford, Pucker, 
Belford, Root, Harker, Reed, Rockwell, and Sherman, advising them of said action. 

March 8, 1884. Letter prepared by Pitney, initialed bv chief of division, examined by board of law 
examiners, and signed by Cornmissioner, addressed to Ford advising him of letter of March 5, 
1884, to surveyor-general. 

March 11,1884. Letter (1884 -27168) dated March 6, 1884, received from surveyor-general, forwarding 
approved plat of survey. Assigned to Pitney. 

March 12, 1884. Papers relating to survey examined 'bj Pitney and jacket of the case indorsed by him— 
“Survey approved 12, 1884. A. L. P.” Papers given to Miss C. A. Hollingsworth, a clerk, at 
$1,000, who on the same day prepared, from data found in the official survey, a description of the 
property to be conveyed by the patent. From this the draft of a patent was prepared by a patent 
writer. At the same time a draughtsman was preparing two copies of official plat, one of which 
was inserted in the draft of the patent, and the other reserved for insertion in the record of the 
patent. . ,,, 

March 13, 1884. Letter prepared by Pitney, initialed by acting chief of division, examined by board of 
letter reviewers and signed by Acting Commissioner, addressed to Ford, advising him that the 
mineral entry has been “passed for patent.’’ . , . ^ 

March 14 1884. Letter prepared by Mrs. E. E. Pearce, a clerk of class one, inclosing the dratt ot the 
patent, numbered 8978, with others, to Wm. H. Crook, President’s secretary to sign land patents, 
reqnestimr bis signature. Initialed by acting chief of division, examined by board of law ex¬ 
aminers and signed by Acting Commissioner. c ^ 

March 14, 1884. Letter, similarly prenared, approved and signed, addressed to S. W. Clark, recorder 
of the General Land Office, requesting his signature to this and other patents. 

March 15, 1884. Letter (1884-28964) dated March 10, 1884, received from surveyor-general, returning 
restored plat of claim. Assigned to Pitney and filed with case without answer. 

March 17, 1884. The patent duly signed by the President’s secretary and the recorder having been re- 
turned to this office, it was recorded in full by a copyist in the lecord of mineral patents, vol. 107, 
p. 341, and a copy of the plat Avas inserted in the record. 





262 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


March 19,1884. Letter prepared by Mr.s. Pearce, initialed by chief of divisioi*, examined by board of 
letter reviewor.s, and si{ined by Commissioner, transmittinfi said patent to the register and i eceiver 
for delivery to the person surrendering the duplicate receiver’s receipt. This closed action upon 
the case in this office. 

In addition to the proceedings stated above, case was argued orally at great length before the Commis¬ 
sioner of the General Land office. 

It appears also from the papers (1884-41706) received from the Secretary of the Interior on April 19, 
1884, and filed with the ca.se, that the Vanderbilt owuei s applied to the Attorney-General of the 
United States, praying the institution of suit by the United States to set aside the patent. The 
papers having been referred by the Attorney-General to the Secretary of the Interior for exami¬ 
nation and recommendation, Secrelarj- Teller, by letter' of April 16, 1884, to the Attorney-General, 
reviewed the proceedings in the case, showing that the protestauts have had all the opportunities 
to present their case before the Department that could have been accorded to litigants, but have 
failed either to establish a title to the premises or to show that the Maid of Erin proprietors are 
not entitled to their patent, and holding that the United States has now no interest in the property 
and should not interfere for the purpose of determining property rights between individuals or 
disturb the rights acquired by patent granted after full consideration of the questions involved. 
What action was taken thereon by the Attorney-General does not appear from the record. 
Attached hereto is a plat showing the Maid of Erin claim as patented and also a tracing showing its 
situation with reference to the Vanderbilt and Clontarf surveys. 

[Note.— The adjudication of a mineral entry rarely involves proceedings so extended as in the Maid 
of Erin case. The history of this case is given to illustrate the many difficulties that may arise 
in the adjudication of an ordinary mineral entry and to show the action taken where protests are filed 
and a contest is initiated. Cases frequently arise involving one or more similar questions; and the 
adjudication of some cases presents even greater difficulties than case described.] 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received? 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the mineral (N) division of the General Land Ofifice, 
Department of the Interior : 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Pending July 
1,1883. 

Received i n 
1884. 

Disposed o f 
in 1884. 

Pending July 
1,1884. 

Received i n 
1885. 

Disposed o f 
in 1885. 

Pending July 
1,1885. 

Received i n 
1886. 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

Woo 

.a fH 

a 

<v 

Received i n 
1887. 

Disposed o f 

in 1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Suspended mineral 














and coal entries . 

1,386 



1, 350 



1, 379 



2,184 




Unexamined min- 










era! and coal en- 














tries... 

1,085 

2, 060 


1,707 

1,617 


2, 726 

1, 392 


2, 658 

1,047 









Total. 

2, 471 


1, 704 

3, 057 


547 

4,105 


708 

4,842 


975 

5,012 









Contest cases not 












■ 


closed . 

*^174 

94 

89 

t219 

119 

77 

281 

54 

50 

221 

51 

58 

214 

Quasi contests not 














closed. 







40 

61 

6 

95 

24 

55 

64 

Suspended agricul- 














tural entries in- 














volving mineral 

' 













questions. 




50 



+230 



:io8 




Unexamined agri- 












cultural entries 














involving min- 














eral questions... 




90 

191 


101 

136 


65 

39 















Total. 




140 


230 

331 


402 

173 


144 

68 

Number of letters 










received and 














docketed. 


6,696 



5,442 



5, 562 



4, 714 



Number of letters 








. 


written. 



5, 964 



4, 674 



5, 766 



4,403 


Number of pages 











of letter record 














written. 



5, 782 



3, 043 



4, 379 



2, 883 













* Not docketed, 40. t Old, not docketed, 20. iSuspended. 


The small amount of mineral and coal patents issued in 1885 is largely accounted 
for by the condition of the examining force in that year. 

There were also pendino; March 1. 1887, railroad lists referred to this division for 
examination, including the mineral character of 486,82*2.48 acres. 

The number of suspended mineral and coal entries pending July 1, 1883, is given in 
the above statement as about 1,386, which is taken from the annual report for the 
fiscal year ending June 30, 1883. From later official reports it now appears that the 
number of such cases then [lending must have been underestimated to the extent of 




























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


263 


about two buudred cases, but the actual uuderestimate may have been much less than 
this. This error, however small, appears to have been carried into later reports, but 
as some of the cases must be very old it would now be a matter of great labor to 
ascertain the exact number by actual count. 

The totals made up by adding to the number of mineral and coal entries finally 
disposed of those pending and undisposed of at the close of each fiscal year do not 
agree with the numbers given in the “total” column, but the small discrepancies 
disclosed are probably traceable to the same error above mentioned, and to the addi¬ 
tional fact that, after being once counted, entries thereafter referred by or returned 
to this division may not have been properly counted. 

The number of mineral and coal entries “ disposed of ” during the years named 
does not show all the business transacted or work actually done on this class of cases, 
but shows only the number of such cases finally disposed of—first, by patents actu¬ 
ally issued, and second, by entries examined and canceled—a very few cancellations 
having been made during each year. Many of the entries, although not patented, 
were nevertheless regularly examined, suspended, and decisions in the cases pre¬ 
pared. 

The following is a statement of the amount of work of this class done as given in 
the annual reports for 1884,1885, and 1886, and also shows the amount of work of this 
class actually done during the eight months ending March 1, 1887: 


Character of work done. 

Number acted on during 
the fiscal years ending— 

Number acted 

on from June 

30, 1886, to 

March 1,1887. 

June 30, 
1884. 

June 30, 
1885. 

J une 30, 
1886. 

p'vaTniriP.fl . _ _ ____............ 

1, 399 

638 

1,595 

1, 369 

Af Avn.miTi a/1 a to anrvAyfl_............... 

'400 


600 

175 

851 

100 

Old SUSpen^if'fi ftntrips evamined__ _ _..... 

425 

190 

50 




The additional labor of recording the patents is also shown by the following state¬ 
ment : 

The patents recorded, including the making of plats of surveys, covered— 

Pages. 


For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1884... 9,264 

1885 . 3,398 

1886 ... 3,003 

1887 (from July 1, 1886, up to March 1). 5,374 


The number of contest cases disposed of during the years named does not show all 
the work of this class actually done, but shows only the number of such cases finally 
decided or closed. In a number of the cases decisious were rendered by this office after 
examination of voluminous testimony and appeals were taken, and, therefore, or for 
other reasons, the cases have not been closed. There are a number of the cases in 
which the actual labor of examination has been performed and decisions rendered, 
but the cases have not yet been finally disposed of or closed. 

The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes in 
the mineral division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business and 
years. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mineral and coal patents 



issued: 



1884 . 

151 

105 

1885. 

78 

37 

1886. 

50 

52 

1887 . 

138 

152 


Average-amount transacted during each month. 


Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

139 

0 

50 

196 

44 

67 

134 

0 

56 

250 

16 

181 

100 

50 

60 

50 

23 

95 

60 

52 

115 

92 

43 

140 

60 

23 

140 

2 

43 

107 

































































264 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Except for tlie item above shown, no monthly account has been required or kept in 
this division from which a correct statement of the amount and character of business 
performed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, can be prepared. 
It is, therefore, impracticable, except as above, to give the information called ior. 


The following statement shows the average number of employds in the minera 
division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J line. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

33 

33 

33 

31 

31 

31 

31 

32 

33 

31 

25 

23 

1885. 

23 

23 

23 

23 

23 

24 

24 

24 

25 

25 

25 

26 

1886 . 

27 

27 

27 

27 

27 

29 

30 

30 

30 

30 

30 

29 

1887 (to March). 

30 

30 

























During the fiscal year 1884 the number of clerks was one-third greater 

than in the fiscal year 1885. There were also in the division, during the fiscal year 
1885, a number of clerks who were being instructed in the rluties of examining clerks, 
and whose work had to be re-examined in detail by the regular examiners. 

The work performed in this division consists of fifteen distinct classes, some of 
which are of technical or professional character. With scarcely an exception, each 
clerk has been engaged, from time to time, on several difi'ereut classes. As no record 
from which such information can be obtained was kept or required, it is now impos¬ 
sible to furnish the information indicated on this heading. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and 
attention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the mineral division of the General Land Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Year. 

Average 
number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
of (lays 
present. 

Average 
number 
ofhours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 
of work¬ 
ing days. 

Average 

days 

absent. 

1884 ... 

30. 58 

265. 62 

7 

307 

41. 38 
26 58 

1885 . 

24 

274. 92 

7 

301i 

305 

188&. 

28. 58 

275. 91 

7 

29. 09 
.88 

1887 (to March 1). 

30 

47.12 


48 




The official day is from 9 to 4 (seven hours), but there is allowed to the employes 
thirty minutes, from 12 m. to 12.30 p. m., for luucb, which is almost invariably 
availed of, which would bring the average hours of attendance to not exceed six 
and one-half hours. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days 
in the mineral division of the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1 ). 

Maximum number of days.. 

Minimum number of days ...... 

300^3 

2283 % 

28653, 

244^ 

29m 

2552«3 

189* 

169 



For 2 months. 

































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


265 


BOAED OF EEVIEW (0) DIVISION". 

JReport of the hoard of revietv (0) division^ General Land Office, on the methods of busi¬ 
ness and woric, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department 
circular of March 2'S, 18^7. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the hoard of re¬ 
view division O of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior. 

[Division O, organized December 1, 1886.] 

4 

Principal. —Final homestead entries; commuted homestead (cash) entries; pre¬ 
emption (cash) entries; timber and stone land (cash) enrries; desert-land entries; 
private (cash) entries ; timber-culture entries. 

Miscellaneous. —Town-site and town-lot entries; OvSage Indian (cash) entries; 
Osage ceded (cash) entries ; graduation (cash) entries. 

Warrant and scrip locations entries of various Indian and military reservations 
placed in market by special acts. 

Correspondence in relation to all cases while they are under the jurisdiction of the 
division. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting busi ness in tbe board of 
review (O) division of the General Land Office, in the Department of the Inte¬ 
rior, including one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said 
division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the board of review 
(O) office, and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each 
of such principal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, 
and the employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is consid¬ 
ered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each until the same 
is hnally disiiosed of aud notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

EXPLANATORY. 

' Only such cases as the other divisions recommend for patent are sent to this divis¬ 
ion for final review. Those cases which other divisions suspend for any reason are 
by them canceled or held for amendment. When they recommend a case for patent 
they indorse the same “ Recommended for patent and referred to division O. 
-, division examiner.’’ 

Such cases are then sent to this division, and when received are receipted for to 
the division sending them, and are docketed in division O by their proper number 
under the'land distwlct to which they belong. 

DISPOSITION OF CASES. 

In disposing of cases in this division the local offices are taken up alphabetically, 
beginning with Aberdeen, Dak., and ending with Yankton, Dak. When any given 
office is reached the different classes of cases therein are distributed to the dif¬ 
ferent examining clerks. The examiner makes an original examination of every 
paper in the case, noting the xmiuts, whether good or bad, on an “ examination slip,” 
which is always thereafter filed with the papers. 

This examination is systematic, audin a iire-emptiou case is as follows : 

“Xo. —, land district —. Description (“OK” or “ bad”) arcreage, date of settlement, 
date of residence, length of residence, date of proof, date of certificate, improve¬ 
ments (description, value of), acres broken, crops raised, claimant’s family, remarks. 
Recommendation (tabulate, suspend). 

Examiner. ” 

After any given office has been examined, all eases marked “ tabulate” by the ex¬ 
aminer are supposed to be proper cases to go to patent, and are tabulated ; that is, a 
clerk takes such cases and transcripts or abstracts the examination already made on a 
large sheet properly ruled, with proper headings, agreeing with iioints in examination 
slijis, each sheet holding sixty cases. 

Each class is tabulated separately, under the head of final homesteads, cash, tim¬ 
ber culture, desert, &c. 

When all the cases or any given class belonging to any office are thus extended on 
the abstract, the same is then examined by thechiefof thedivision, and if in hisjudg- 










266 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


nient the cases should he seut to patent, he recommends them for approval for patent 
under his signature. 

If any case on said abstract be materially defective, the same is stricken from the 
abstract and referred back to the original division for amendment as indorsed by this 
division on the papers. 

Tbe abstract is then submitted to the two law clerks, chief clerk, and Assistant Com¬ 
missioner, who either approve or disapprove the w hole abstract or any particular 
case, as they think proper. Upon approval, it goes to the Commissioner for his ap¬ 
proval for patent, which obtained, patent issues at once. 

SUSPENDED CASES. .. 

(1) Any case received from the other divisions, which, on full examination, is sus¬ 
pended by the examiner for vital defects or irregularities, is passed on also by the 
chief of division, and if he approves the suspension he indorses on the papers the 
defects and irregularities in same and returns it to the proper division for amend¬ 
ment. 

(2) If from the face of the papers or on information filed in this office fraud is sus¬ 
pected in any case, the same is suspended and referred to division P (fraud divis¬ 
ion) for examination and report by a special agent in the field. 

On his report the case is either returned to division O for approval for patent, 
no fraud being found, or division P orders a hearing, the result of which will de¬ 
cide the final action, which is then taken by division P. 

BOARD CASES. 

Such cases as should go to the board of equitable adjudication are examined, ab¬ 
stracted, and tabulated, and recommended in like manner as other cases, and on rec¬ 
ommendation of the Commissioner are sent to said board for approval, which being 
done, they are returned to division O and at once sent to patent. 

CORRESPONDENCE. 

This division conducts the ofiSce correspondence touching all cases pending in the 
division. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below in the board of review, division O, of the General 
Land Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Pending Dec. 
1,1886. 

Received 
from Dec. 1, 
1886, to Mar. 
1,1887. 

Disposed of 
from Dec. 1, 
1886, to Mar. 
1,1887. 

Pending Feb. 
28,1887. 

All kinds of entries. 

39, 572 

1,793 

1,811 

39, 554 

All kinds of entries charged to the division 
actually pending, but not yet received in 
the division becau.se of want of room. 

7, 900 

7, 900 


Correspondence in relation to all cases with the division, no record kept. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the board of review, division O, of the General Land Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior : 

All kinds of entries disposed of: 


1886, December. g 04 

1887, January. 004 

1887, February.”” 004 


Some cases were abstracted and ready to be disposed of on March 1 , which did not 
leave the division until after that date, which accounts for the low averao-e above 
indicated. ® 

Experience has shown that a fair approximate average number of cases per mouth 
for a force of eleven employes to dispose of would be 1,7.50. 



















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. ,267 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the board of re¬ 
view, division O, of the Genewil Land Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specitied : 

1886, December. 11 

1887, January. 12 

1887, February. 11 

The division was organized November 29, 1886. 


Owin^ to the great variety of entries coming before this newly organized division, 
many oi which were intricate cases, long pending, and needing special examination, 
it was impracticable to so systematize the work of the clerical force to make possible 
an intelligent report of the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted 
and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ6 doing the least dur¬ 
ing tlie periods specitied in the board of review, division O, of the General Land 
Office, Department of the Interior. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the period 
specified, by the employes in the board of review, division O, of the General Land 
Office, Department of the Interior : o , 


Tear. 

Number of 
employes, 
average. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent, each 
clerk. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number by 
proxy. 

1886, December..... 

11 




1887 {tn Mar eh 1)....... 

11 

68 

7 

0 




The average number of hours employed daily, includes 30 minutes allowed for lunch. 

The average number of days each clerk was present is for the whole period, from De¬ 
cember 1,1886, to March 1,1887, or 7‘Si working days. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^'present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the (board of review) O division of the General Land Office, Department of the 
Interior, during the periods specified : 


To March 1, 1887: 

Maximum number of days.. —. 73^ 

Minimum number of days........62^ 


The division was not organized until December 1, 1886 (November 29), and the re¬ 
port is for the full period to March 1, 1887, or 73^ working days. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of from March 1 to April 1,1887, in division O (board of review)' of the General 
Land Office, Department of the Interior : ' . ' ? 


Character of business. 

Pending 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Received to 
April 1. 

Disposed 
of up to 
April 1, ’87. 

Pending 
Mar., 1887. 


11,127 

27,154 

851 

• 1,748 

103 

832 

12,043 
23, 396 


3, 861 


355 

496 


260 

3 

41 

222 

\\7 QT*T'ant. Inmf.inna __..................... 

151 

13 

15 

149 


5 



5 


6 



6 






Total __.................. 

39, 554 

1,867 

5,104 

36,317 












































268 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


SPECIAL-SERVICE DIVISION. 

lieport of the special-service division, Genei'al Land Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
Marches, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the special-service 
division of the General Laud Office, Department of the Interior. 

Fraudulent entry branch : 

(1) Action upon fraudulent and illegal entries of public land. 

(2) Action upon unlawful iuclosures of public laud. 

(3) Preparation of coj)ies of entry papers, tfcc., plain and certified for use in court,. 
&c. 

(4) Making general and special reports. 

Timber-depredation branch : 

(1) Action upon complaints and reports of alleged depredations upou public timber► 

(2) Recording abstracts of all cases of alleged depredations upon public timber. 

(3) Making general and special reports. 

(4) Examination of agents’ weekly reports. 

(5) Docketing instructions to agents and other officers. 

General work for both branches : 

(1) Giving personal instructions to special agents in their duties when appointed, 
and detailing them for duty in the field for which they are deemed best (lualified ; also 
answering legal inquiries and furnishing status of cases to attorneys and other inter¬ 
ested parties, which consumes much valuable time of the clerks in the division. 

(2) Examining special agents’ monthly salary and expense accounts in connection 
with their weekly reports. 

(3) Registering mail received and all action taken thereon. 

(4) The issuing of all transportation requests and requisitions for blanks and sta¬ 
tionery for special agents. 

(5) Preparing copies of official papers for the use of special agents, registers and 
receivers. United States attorneys, and for retention on our files when the originals 
are required for use in court, &c. 

(6) All special agents’ reports and official papers received in this division are first 
examined by the chief for the ])urpose of enabling him to direct prompt or special 
action upou such as require same. They are then examined by assistant chief and 
handed to register clerk for registration and proper distribution. 

(7) All official communications written in this division are read by the assistant 
chief and then by the chief, who, if he approves same, affixes his initials and forwards 
same to the law clerk of the bureau for aiq)roval, before being signed by the Com¬ 
missioner or Assistant Commissioner. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the special-service 
division of the General Land Office in the Departnient of the Interior, includiin^ 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter iu the General Land Office, and 
then showing iu consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such princi¬ 
pal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office and the eni- 
ployds through whose hands the same pa.sses, and by whom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is linallv 
disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

This division has supervision over all special agents appointed to investi<>-ate fraud¬ 
ulent entries or unlawful inclosures of the public lands and all depredations upon the 
public timber. It was the former practice of this office to assign special agents to 
duty in certain States or Territories direct from their homes or places from*\vhence 
appointed, involving great loss of time before they could acquire, through written 
and printed instructions, such knowledge of the duties dev(»lved upom fhem as to 
enable them to render capable and efficient service; but under the present adminis¬ 
tration each special agent, when appointed, is required to report in person to this 
office. Upon his arrival he is furnished with all printed instructions and circulars 
relating to the duties of special agents (both timber and land), given copies of reports 
of other special agencs to examine, and if he desires, to copy, and in every way fully 
informed and instructed in all matters pertaining to the position to which he lias been 
appointed ; he is then furnished with a printed list of questions to rei)Iy to in writin<»- 
and when it is deemed that he is sufficiently ac(iuaint,ed with the nature of the duties 
devolved upon him he is assigned to the State, Territory, or land district in which his 
services are most needed. 

The work of the division is divided into two distinct branches, namely : Fraudulent 
entries of public lands, and depredations upon public timber. 







THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 269 

The force of thirty employes is divided as follows: 1 chief, 1 assistant chief, 14 cor¬ 
respondents, 10 copyists, 2 rej^istry clerks, 2 book-keepers. 

Each correspondent has charge of certain States, Territories, and land districts, 
and acts upon all cases within limits of the same. 

Mail matter, when received, is entered hy the registry clerks, first in numerical 
register, then hy States or Territories from which the matter is received; or, in case 
of special agents’reports, in volumes for that purpose. After which it is assigned to 
the correspondent having charge of the district to which it relates. All action taken 
upon mail matter is noted thereon, and the matter returned to the registry clerks for 
notation of action upon the registers. 

FRAUDULENT ENTRIES OF PUBLIC LANDS, 

The principal item of business in this branch is action upon alleged fraudulent laud 
entries. 

Method of husiness. 

Complaint received: 

Action on complaint: 

1. Complaint received allejjing fraud in a certain entry; description incomplete or indefinite. 

2. Memorandum of data furnislied as to identity of entry, and tract-books covering the locality 

searched for correct description, number, and status. 

3. Withdrawal card made—name, number, and description given—to take place of entry papers in 

the files. 

4. District, number of entry, and date on card entered in record of cases sent for. 

5. Case docketed. 

C. Copy of complaint, with correct description, &c., inclosed to special agent with directions to in¬ 
vestigate the allegations. 

Agent’s report received: 

Favorable action on agent’s report: 

1. Special agent’s report of investigation docketed. 

2. Case examined. Brief prepared showing the facts presented by the entry papers followed by 

the substance of the agent’s report on the material.points, submitted for examination to the 
clerk designated for that purpose by the chief of division, and returned to thechief for approval. 

3. Pr oper action noted on report, on all communications Avith case, on docket, and on entry papers. 

4. Entry papers returned to files; district, number, and date noted in record of cases returned. 

5. Brief and letters, repoi:ts, &c., filed. 

Adverse action on agent’s report: 

1. The facts are stated in letter to the local officers and the entry held for cancellation, the party 

being allowed sixty days within which to apply for a hearing. 

2. Agent advised of action taken. 

3. Attorneys or agents appearing in the case advised of action taken. 

4. Action noted on docket. 

Register and receiver report at expiration of time allowed, transmitting evidence 
of service of notice, or attempt to procure service : 

Register and receiver report default: 

- 1. Report received, filed with case, and docketed. 

2. No defense being made, the entry is finally canceled by letter to local officers. 

3. Notation of cancellation made on report, on all communications with case, on entry papers, and 

on docket. 

4. Attorneys or agents appearing in case advised of cancellation. 

5. Memorandum of cancellation sent to division of public lands for notation on tract-books. 

6. Entry papers returned to files, district, number, and date being noted in record of cases re¬ 

turned. 

7. Reports, letters, &c., filed. 

Register and receiver transmit application for hearing: 

1. Application for hearing docketed and filed. 

2. He.aring ordei’ed by letter to local officers. 

3. Agent advised hearing ordered. 

4. Attorneys or agents appearing In case advised of action taken. 

5. Notation of action made upon report, letters, entry papers, and docket. 

Register and receiver transmit record of hearing : 

Testimony favorable to entry : 

1. Record received, docketed, and filed. 

2. Testimonv examined ; if it shows legality and compliance with the law, the case is closed by 
letter to local officers, allowing e»try to stand intact. 

3. Notation of decision made on record, on all communications with case, on the entry papers, and 

on docket. Case returned to files. 

4. District, number, and date of return noted on record of cases returned. 

5. Reports, letters, &c., tiled. 

Testimony adverse to entiy: ^ 

1. Entry held for cancellation on evidence presented by letter to local officers, party allowed sixty 

( 60 ) days to appeal to Secretary of the Interior. 

2. Attorneys or agents appearing in case advised of decision made. 

3. Notation of action on papers and in docket. 

4. Case tiled. 







270 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Adverse action on record of bearing ; appeal to Secretary : 

Appeal to Secretary: 

1. Appeal filed with case and docketed. . 

2. Letter of transmittal to Secretary with schedule of papers in case, including copies ot omce 

letters. 

3. Notation of action. 

Case finally clo.sed : 

Final action: .... , , ^ 

1 . Case closed by promulgation of Secretary’s decision ; copy inclosed to local officers. 

2. Attorneys or agents appeariug in case notified of Secretary’s decision. 

3. Notation of action on entry papers, on all communications and on docket. Entry papers returned 

to files. 

4. District, number, and date of return noted in record of cases returned. 

5. Letters, reports, record, &c., filed. 

Illustration of case of fraudulent land entry. 

Complaint received: 

Action on complaint: 

1. April 4, 1886, letter received from William Hawk, dated at Pendleton, Oreg., March 28, 1886, 

alleging that Jacob Toole had made a fraudulent timber entry for land in section 29, township 
2 north, of range 30, east. Registered and referred to special service division; read by chief 
and assistant chief; entered by registry clerk on numerical and miscellaneous docket, and re¬ 
ferred to correspondent in charge of Oregon. 

2. Tract-hook examined for correct description of entry. 

3. Withdrawal card made, giving name, number of entry, and description of land, to take the place 

of entry papers in the files. 

4. Entry papers received and docketed. 

5. April 6,1886, copy of complaint sent to the special agent in charge of the district in which the 

land in question lies, with instructions to confer with the complainant, get fuller information, 
and make a thorough investigation of the case, and report. 

'Agent’s report received : 

Action on agent’s report: 

1 June 2, 1886, agent’s report received, dated May 2.5,1886, showing that Toole had made entry 
for land not subject to entry under the timber land act, and that ho had been hired to make the 
entry by and in the interest of one Isaac Sharp, who furnished the money with which to pay 
for the land and expenses attending entry, and to whom the land was transferred by Toole on 
the day entry was allowed, in pursuance to their previous agreement, Toole receiving the 
stipulated compensation. Report registered, referred, &,c,, and charged on entry docket op¬ 
posite case. 

2. Entry held for cancellation by letter addressed to register and receiver at La Grand, Oreg., 
(that being the district in which the land in question is located), dated June 4, 1886, all the facts 
presented by the agent’s report being therein set forth, and the register and receiver in¬ 
structed to notify the eutryman and transferee that they will he allowed sixty days within 
which to apply for a hearing to show cause why said entry should be sustained, and in the event 
that they fail to respond, the entry will be finally canceled. Agent advised of the action taken, 
and attorneys appearing in the case advised. Action noted on papers and docket. 

Register and receiver report: 

Action on register and receiver’s report: . . 

1 . August 30, 1886, register and receiver’s report received, dated August 23, 1886, stating that both 

parties were duly notified, and transmitting evidence of service of notice, together, with the 
application of Shai p for a hearing. Registered, referred, &c., and charged on entry docket. 

2. Hearing ordered by letter of September 3, 1886, to register and receiver, with directions to con¬ 

fer with the agent as to the date for the hearing, and thereafter give due notice to the parties 
in interest. Special agent and attorneys advised same date. Action noted on papers and 
docket. 

Testimony adverse to entry : 

Action on testimony: 

1 . October 2.5, 1886, record of hearing received from local office. Registered, referred, &c., and 

noted on entry docket. 

2. Testimony being adverse, the entry was held for cancellation by letter of November 26, 1886, 

to the register and receiver, in which is set forth a synopsis of the testimony and the reasons 
for the action taken ; sixty days allowed for appeal. Attorneys notified. Notes made on pa¬ 
pers and docket. 

Appeal filed: 

Action on appeal: 

1. January 25, 1887, appeal filed, registered, referred, &c.,and noted on docket. 

2. Appeal transmitted to Secretary January 30, 1887, together with all the papers in the case. 

Register and receiver and attorneys advised. Notations made on papers and docket. 

Case finally closed : 

Final action : 

1 . February 25, 1887, Secretary returns papers in the case affirming the decision of this office. 
Entry canceled by letter to register and receiver, dated February 28, 1887, inclosing a copy of 
the Secretary's decision. Action noted on entry papers, on all communications, and on docket. 
Entry papers retuaned to files. Letters, reports, and record filed. 

The above is an example of a supposititious case, without the complications and 
delay that frequently arise. 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 271 


Case of C. P. Cogswell, iuvoh'hig ninepre-empiion entries in the Duluth, Minn., land district. 

In October, 1882, hearings were had in tliese c.ases before the register and receiver upon the report of 
Oie special agent. On the day set for the hearing, after due notice, the special agent and assistant 
United States attorney a])p('aied for the Government, no a]»t)earance being made by or for the claim¬ 
ants. From the evidence submitteil the legister and receiver decided that the entries were made 
fraudulently tor speculative purposes, and that the law as to residence and improvement had not 
been complied with. 

April 18, 1883, t he local officers torvvarded the test imony, and upon consideration of the same this office, 
on August 31, 1883, found that the lands were in tlieir natural state, utterly devoid of any sign of 
imynovenient or cultivation, except in two or three instances where pole pens were found, and 
thereupon the decision of the local officei s v.as affirmed and the entries canceled. 

Under <late ot December 20, 1883, Cogswell tiled an application asking for the issue of patents for the 
tracts involved, irrespective of any charges which theGovernment might urge agaiu.st the entries, 
the ayiplicaiit alleging that he was an innocent pin chaser, for value' after the issue of the final 
certificates, and without notice of any defect in the title. 

On May 14, 1884, this office denied said application, holding that purchasers before patent were not 
innocent purchasers, but take with noticeof all defects and subject to the final adjudication of the 
claims by the Land Department; that thei c was no power vestcil in this oflico to issue ])atentsupon 
illegal entries of public land ; that the assignee was allowed to apply fora further hearing to prove 
the validity ot theontiies; and that no further hearing having been applied for, the decision of 
August 31, 1883, was declared final. 

Application was theii made to the Department for a writ of certiorari, and Secretary Teller, in passing 
on the petition of duly 27, 1884, denied it so far as it proceeded upon the ground that the petitioner 
was a bona fide holder for a valuable consideration, and should therefore be protected and patent 
issue without regar d as to whether the pre-cmptor complied with the law or procured his final cer¬ 
tificate by I’raudulcnt jtractices, but directed that all the yiajiers, proofs, and proceedings in the 
cases be certified to the Department for the purpose of enabling him to examine as to whether the 
action taken in canceling the entries was war ranted. 

October 3, 1884, the yiapers were certified to the Department. 

Under date of February 11, 1885, the Department concurred in the opinion of this offiewe that the en- 
trymen never comyrlicd with the law in any respect; that their whole proceeding was fraudulent, 
and directed that the cancellations .stand.' 

On February 24. 1885, attorneys for Gogswell addressed a letter to the Depai-tment asking that action 
on the entries be susjrended ; that they be referred to the Board of Equitable Adjudication ; and 
that opportunity be afforded them to submit argument in suirport of the case. Secretary Teller 
referred said letter to this otlice with an indorsement to susitend action and give the claimant an 
opportunity to present the matter to the Board of Equitable Adjudic.itiou. 

Xo argument having been filed or other action taken, the order of suspension was revoked by office 
letter of November 3, 188.3. Appeal from this action was filed, but by letter of April 20, 188(1, this 
office declined to forward the same, on the ground that the right of appeal did not exist. Applica¬ 
tion was thereupon made to have the matter certified to the Depariineut, which application Avas 
denied by Department letter of June 15, 1880, but with the direction that sixty days bo allowed 
the party to show cause wiry Secretary Teller’s order should not be r evoked by the Dejrar lment, 
or in the mean time to present formal application for the reference of the cases to the Board, to¬ 
gether with reasons and arguments why they should bo so referred The attorneys were notified 
October 30. 1880, and argument was filerl December 28, 1880. It was argtted at considerable length 
that the statutes irrovido that bona fide pur chasers ar e to be jrr otected by the Government from 
all illegal or fraudulent acts of the entryrnen ; that this office is found to issue patents in such 
cases, even thorrgh the entries are proven to be fraudulent; and that if bona fide purchasers have 
no standing before the Laud Department to secur e the iratents as a rnaiter of law and strict legal 
right, they are clearly within the equitable relief extended by the law establishing the Board of 
Equitable Adjudication. 

On February 28, 1887, this office forwarded said argument to the Department, with its disapproval, 
holding that the questions presented had been repeatedly decided in the negative. 

Under date of Atrril 4, 1887, the Department concurred in the opinion of this office, and denied the ap¬ 
plication, and on April 23, 1887, the register and receiver were advised of said decision and di¬ 
rected to hold the lauds in question subject to entry by the first legal ajrplicant. 

Every measure known to the Land Department has been taken in this case to secure the confirmation 
of the entries involved. 


TIMBER DEPREDATIONS UPON PUBLIC LANDS. 

The principal item of business in this branch is action upon alleged depredations 
upon public timber. 

Method of husiness. 

Complaint received: 

Action on complaint: 

1 . Complaint received alleging timber depredation upon public lands—description of land not 

given, or indefinite. 

2. Copy of complaint inclosed to special timber agent with instructions to investigate and report 

thereon. 

Agent’s report received: 

Preliminary steps to determine upon action : ’ 

1 . If not complete in details, report leturned to agent with letter calling his attention to discrep¬ 

ancies, and directing him to resubmit report. 

2. If complete in details, record of previous cases examined to ascertain if any former report of 

trespass by same party submitted. 

3. Status of lands alleged to have been depredated upon ascertained from tract-books. 

4 . Ca.se thoroughly examined in all its bearings to ascertain whether trespass was willful or igno¬ 

rant and to determine upon action to be recommended. 





272 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


If facts indicate willful trespass: 

Legal action on agents’ reports : 

1. Papers in the case to Secretaiy with letter stating in full all the facts in the case, recommend¬ 

ing reference to honorable A Itorney-General with request that the proper United States dis¬ 
trict attorney be directed to ins'itnte legal proceedings, either criminal prosecution or civil 
action, or both, as the facts of trespass may warrant. 

2. Upon uotitication, through the Department, that legal proceedings have neen directed, the 

agent in charge of the case instructed to render all required assistance in same to United 
States district aLtoniej% and to report disposition made of case in court. 

3. Upon receipt of report relative to disposition of case in court, if the disposition made of same 

appears to he at variance with the reported facts of trespass forming the basis of the legal 
proceedings, without apparently satisfactory evidence of a rebutting nature having been ad¬ 
duced at time of trial, the agent’s report to that effect is laid before the Secretary with letter 
rehearsing facts in full, and recommending that the report be called to the attention of the At- 
tornej* General for proper action. 

If facts indicate trespass was not willful: 

Settlement by payment of damages without legal proceedings: 

1 . Papers in the case to Secretary, with letter reciting facts in full, recommending, in view of re¬ 

ported ext enuaiing circumstance-s, that existing iiability involved in the trespass be settled 
by payment of due measure of damages to luoper otticer of the Government, without resort 
to legal proceedings, provided such payment be made within a stipulated period. 

2. Upon receipt of concurrent instructions from the Department, special agent in charge of the 

case so advised, and instructed to issue proper uotitication to paidy in interest and make due 
report upon action taken thereuudei'. Proper receiver of public moneys also notified and di¬ 
rected to leceive and receipt for the amount in question, and duly report action. Proper noti¬ 
fication in the manner furnished division of accounts. 

3. Upon receipt of report from receiver transmitting receipt for amount in full, the same made 

duly matter of record in this division, and receipt referied to division of accounts. 

4. Should payment not bo duly made, as shown by reports from the special agent and receiver, 

the agent is directed to again demand payment under pain of legal proceedings, and report 
result. 

If non-payment finally reported : 

Legal action upon failure to make settlement: 

1. Action to date recited in letter to Secretary, recommending reference to Attorney-General for 

duo legal proceedings in accordance with the merits of the case. 

2. (Subsequent action taken in the order above recited in connection with " Legal proceedings.”) 

Case finally closed : 

Final action : 

1. Notation of action on agents’ reports, and on all communications relating to the c ise. 

2 Abstract of all communications bearing upon the case entered in timber trespass record, with 
full notation of action therein. 

3. Letters, reports, Ac., filed. 

Illustration of case of tiinher trespass. 

Complaint received: 

Action on complaint: 

1. June 10, 1886, letter received from John Newman, dated at Saint Cloud, Minn., Juno 7, 1886, 

complaining of depredations on timber upon jiublie lands. 

2 . Eegistered .and chaiged to special service division. Kead by chief and assistant chief of di¬ 

vision; registered by re^gisti j clerk upon numerical register in proper order, then in miscella¬ 
neous register under Minnesota cases, and charged to corre.sjiondent having charge of Minne¬ 
sota; read by clerk having supervision of timber depredation matters and finally referred, 
with any instructions doomed necessary' in relation thereto, to the correspondent to whom 
charged, for action ihereon. 

3. June 14, 1886, copy' of complaint inclosed to the special timber agent in charge of the district in 

question, Avitli lustiuctions to investigate the depredations alleged, and report thereon. 

Agent’s report received: 

Preliminary steps to determining upon action : 

1. July 9, 1886, leport in the matter received from the agent, dated July 6, 1886, setting forth that 

during the years 1885 and 1886, James Duncan and George Johnson (doing business under the 
firm-name ot Duncan & Johnson), of Saint Cloud, Minn., jiT’ocured to lie cut on certain de- 
sciibed vacant public laud in Sec. 22, T. 46 N., II. 29 W., Minnesota, certain timber; which 
they sawed into lumber, making 1,344,700 feet, board measure, and .sold .same in the general 
trade, obtaining therefor. $14 per 1,000 feet, based upon a stumpage valuation of $2 per 1 000 
feet. ’ 

2 . Eeport registered, referred, examined, and passed to proper correspondent in order above re¬ 

cited. 

3. Upon examination by correspondent, report found not to be complete in details, the same re¬ 

turned accordingly to the agent, July 15, 1886, with letter calling his attention to discrepan¬ 
cies and directing him to resubmit report. 

4. July' 26, 1886, corrected report in the matter received from the agent, bearing date July 23 1886 

Rogi.stered, Ac., as above stated. j > • 

5. Examined by proper correspondent; found complete in details. 

6 . Record ot previous cases examined to ascertain if any former charges of trespass submitted 

against same parties. 

7. Status ot lands alleged to have been depredated upon ascertained from tract-books. 

8 . Case thoroughly examined in all its bearings. Facts found to indicate willful trespass by said 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


273 


Action on agent’s report: 

Ivecommending legal proceedings: 

(1) August 1, 188(5,papers in the case transmitted to the Secretary in letter reciting all the facts in 

detail, and recommending reference to the honorable Attorney-General, with request that 
criminal proceedings be iustkuted against eacli of the alleged guilty parties, and that a civil 
action be brought to recover from them the full lumber value of the timber in question. 

(2) August 28,18bG, a communication receiv'ed—by reference from the Department—from the Attor¬ 

ney-General, dated August 20, 1886, stating that the proper United States district attorney 
had been directed to institute proceedings as requested. 

(3) Registered, etc., as above stated. 

(4) August 28,188(5, the agent in chargebf the case instructed by proper correspondent to render all 

required assistance in the same to the United States attorney, and to report disposition made 
of the case in court. 

Case finally closed : 

Final action: 

(1) Notation of action on all communications relating to the case, and the same entered on register. 

(2) Abstract of all communications bearing upon the case entered in timber-trespass record, with 

full notation of action throughout. 

(3) Papers in case filed. 

The above is an example of a suj)posititious case without complications. Many 
trespass cases are reported upon land covered by fraudulent entries, which necessi¬ 
tate action upon the entries before action can be taken upon the trespass ; other cases 
are reported embracing propositions of comi>romise from the purchasers of the timber, 
and others again in which an immediate seizure of the timber or lumber is necessary, or 
a seizure of a j)ortion and legal proceedings to recover the value of that which has 
been disposed of. In many instances reports are deficient in detail and have to be 
returned to the agent for amendment, and in some cases, correspondence with the 
special agent extending over a period of several months is required before sufficient 
reliable data can be secured to enable this office to take intelligent action. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the sxiecial-service division of the General Land 
Office, Department of the Interior: 


Cliaracter of bviaiue.ss. 

Pending July 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

1 

Disposed of in I 

1885. 

Pending July 1 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

O 

ig 

to 

p 

1 Pending July \ 

1,1886. 

Received up 
to Mar. 1, 
1887. 

Disposed of 
up to Mar. 

1 1,1887. 

U 

a 

a,4 

.s25 

o 

p 

Timber trespass cases. 

*61 

335 

246 

*150 

1,009 

969 

250 

410 

539 

121 

TlnmAQfpafl pnt.n’p.a .. 


608 

444 


932 

526 

1 , 206 

2 , 222 

743 

2 , 68s 

pnl VIPS _____ 


410 

363 


931 

360 

793 

2, 503 

367 

3,12:( 

ft (tfl .. . _ 


406 

430 


531 

389 

103 

264 

142 

225 

piitripa____ 


104 

173 


191 

406 

479 

1,279 

190 

1, 46« 

pnf.ripa - _ . 


695 

673 


353 

151 

119 

107 

158 

68 

ATifrio!.‘4 .. __... 

. 

213 

42 


76 

14 

50 

151 

39 

162 



16 

15 


17 

6 

37 

37 


74 








270 




Fencing cases. 


60 

7 


42 

105 

86 

94 

104 

76 


* No record kept in other cases. 


During fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, 41 timber agents were employed, their ag¬ 
gregate services being equivalent to the services of 22 agents for the twelve mouths 
and 1 for four months. They reported 390 cases, or an average of 1^ cases each per 
month. During same time 28 land agents were employed, their aggregate services 
being equivalent to the services of 22 agents for the twelve months and 1 tor three 
rnonrhs. They reported 2,512 cases, or an average of 91 cases each per mouth. 

During fiscal year ending June 30, 1836, 50 timber agents were employed, their ag¬ 
gregate services being equivalent to the services of 21 agents for the twelve months 
and 1 for seven months. They reported 301 new cases, or an average of 3 cases each 
per month. During same time 40 laud agents were employed, their aggregate serv¬ 
ices being equivalent to the services of 25 agents for twelve months. They reported 

3,073 cases, or an average of 10 cases each per month. . , „ 

During the greater portion of the above time it has been impossible for special 
a'^ents to personally examine fraudulent entries or cases of timber trespass in many of 
the States and Territories, owing to the inclemency of the season and tho deep snows 
coverin«' tho ground. Tho majority of cases are investigated during the spring and 
early summer moutbs, and it is estimated that the total number ot cases which will 
be investigated during this entire fiscal year will be far in excess of any previous one, 

^ 4402 INT-18 





























































274 


THE DEPARTMENT OF TPIE INTERIOR. 


Froai July 1, 1886, up to February 28, 1887, 31 timber agents were employed, tbeir 
aggregate services being equivalent to the services of 26 agents for the eight months 
and 1 for six months. They reported 410 cases, or an average of 2 cases each per 
month. During same time 36 land agents were employed, their aggregate services 
being equivalent to the services of 28 agents for eight months and 1 for four months. 
They reported 2,666 cases, or an average of 12 cases each per month. During the last 
two years the time of the timber agents has been largely occupied iu reinvestigating, 
securing evidence, and attending court in trespass cases reported upon by previous 
special agents, and the land agents in reinvestigating, securing witnesses, and attend¬ 
ing hearings iu fraudulent land-entry cases reported upon by previous agents. 

The records in the special-service division are not so arranged as to admit of a 
statement being prepared showing the average amount and character of business 
performed, transacted, and disposed of during each month of the years 1884, 1885, and 
1886, and up to March 1, 1887. 

Subsequent to March 1, 1887, however, a weekly record has been kept of all work 
transacted. 


The following statement show s the average number of employes iu the special-service 
division of the General Land Ofl&ce, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified; 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

20 

21 

22 

22 

27 

26 

23 

23 

23 

21 

19 

19 

1885. 

20 

21 

20 

22 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

21 

22 

20 

1886. 

22 

22 

23 

26 

28 

28 

29 

29 

30 

30 

30 

30 

1887 (to March 1).. 

31 

30 













No record has been kept in this division of the individual work performed by the 
several clerks therein, either by the week, month, or year, prior to March 1, 1887. 

The reasons for not having kept such a record are— 

(1) Such record was not required by either office or departmental regulations. 

(2) The force of clerks assigned to duty in this division has at all times been in¬ 
sufficient to keep up with the current work, and the chief in charge has had personal 
knowledge that the time of each clerk has been fully occupied in attending to his of¬ 
ficial duties. 

(3) Owing to the diversity of the work and the numerous preliminary actions re¬ 
quired before final action can be taken upon any one case, no comparative statement 
can be made which will accurately show the actual work performed by each clerk. 

The following statement shows tbe average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the special-service division of the General Land Office, 
Department of the Interior : 


Year. 

Number of 
employes.* 

Average 
number of 
days 
present.! 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily.! 

Number by 
proxy. 

Percent¬ 
age of 
absence.§ 

1884 . 

2 U 

245.6 

7 

0 

16.2 

1885 . 

21 

245. 9 

7 

0 

15.4 

1886 . 

28^ 

262.7 

7 

0 

13.5 

1887 (to March 1). 

30i 

44.8 

7 

0 

6.6 


*The aggregate amount of time of all employes, reduced to an equivalent number for the whole year. 

t The average number of days the employ6s stated in “ Number of employes ” column were present 
out of the whole number of working days, Sundays, holidays, and days office closed being deducted. 

tThe average number of hours employed daily during the days present. 

§ The percentage of absence stated is the percentum of time lost out of the number of working days 
on account of leave, sickness, «fec. 

Thirty minutes allowed each day for lunch, which is almost always taken, leaving 
actual time clerks are employed not exceeding six and a half hours each day. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present, for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least nupiber of days ip 













































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 275 

the special-service division of the General Land Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of davs. 

275 

191.5 

282.5 

182.5 

276.5 

249.5 

48 

31 

Minimum number of davs. 



Department of the Interior, 

General Land Office, 
Washington, D. C., April 29, 1887. 

The Honorable Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir; The foregoing are reports of the several divisions of the General Land Office, 
as called for by departmental circular of March 23, ultimo, under Senate resolution 
of March 3,1887. 

Respectfully, 

WM. A. J. SPARKS, 

Commissioner. 


THE PATENT OFFICE. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Patent Office, 

Washington, June 18, 1887. 


To the Secretary of the Interior : 


Sir; In comidiauce -with your circular of instructions of the 23d of March last, 
accompanying copy of letter from the chairman of the Senate Select Committee 
appointed “ to inquire into and examine the methods of business and work in the 
Executiv^e Departments,’’ I have the honor to transmit herewith reports from the 
various divisions of this office. The nature of business transacted in this Bureau is 
of such character that it cannot be expressed in tabulated form and give an idea of 
the work devolving upon the employes and the methods of transacting business. 

The forms provided by the Secretary’s office have been followed as far as prac¬ 
ticable. 

It is hoped, that the reports herewith forwarded will furnish all the information 
respecting this office desired by the chairman of the Senate Select Committee. 

Verv respectfully, your obedient servant, 

BENTON J. HALL, 


Commissioner. 


FIRST DIVISION. 

Heport of the first division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and work, 
as requested bif the Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the first division of the 
Patent Office for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 (to March 1); 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

June 

July 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

43 

75 

64^ 

64 

384 

531 

55i 

43i 

46t 

76^ 

67 

50.? 

76 

58 

45§ 

78t 

57§ 

51 

7U 

65| 

39A 

66 J 

63^ 

38| 

63 

64i 

37 

73 

611 

57J 

844 

72I 

m 

72 

54| 

61 i 
59^ 
50| 








• 



















































276 


THE DEPARTxMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes during each mouth 
of the years named : 



The time of each examiner, for the year, is taken from the weekly time reports. 
The average is obtained by dividing the total number of days employed by the 
number of examiners. 

The clerical force is not included in this sheet. 


The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during each mouth 
of the years named: 

MAXIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












74 

1885.. 

94 

84 

115 

99 

96 

96 

82 

86 

100 

ii4 

92 

86 

1886. 

79 

80 

91 

83 

68 

117 

91 

85 

92 

103 

98 

92 

1887 (to Mnrrh 1). 

72 

74 














MTNTMUM. 


1884. 












40 

1885. 

42 

24 

49 

46 

34 

33 

36 

15 

21 

26 

21 

15 

1886. 

45 

27 

53 

24 

27 

35 

39 

36 

30 

37 

23 

26 

1887 (to March 1) .. 

68 

14 













No personal work report was required prior to December, 1884. 

These figures represent new applications for patents, caveats, cases returned to the 
office for reconsideration, accompanied either by amendment, argument, correction, or 
request for reconsideration. 

Declarations of interferences, renewed cases, reissues, and appeals are also included. 
The clerical force is not included in this sheet. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years named, 
also the number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the greatest 
number of days and employd present for the least number of days: 


Tear. 

Aver¬ 
age 
No. of 
(lays. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person 
or by 
proxy. 

Maxi¬ 
mum 
No. of 
days. 

Mini¬ 
mum 
No. of 
days. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1). 

260f 

271 

2721 

44 

7 

7 

7 

7 

In person. 

-do. 

-do_ 

273f 

285f 

277 

iSf 

238 

241? 

268 

40? 




The time devoted to business by each employd (including clerical force) is taken 
from the weekly time reports; and the total number of days employed divided by the 
number of employds to obtain the average. 




























































































Tilt: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 277 


Statement showing the princii)al items of business transacted in the first division of 

the United States Patent Office. 

Examination of applications for patents. 

Examination of caveats. 

Reconsideration of rejected applications, if amended or returned, and a patent de¬ 
manded. 

Preparation of a statement in case the inventor appeals from the decision of the ex¬ 
aminer to the examiner-in-chief, or to the Commissioner in person. 

In case applications conflict, and claim the same subject-matter, the examiner in¬ 
stitutes interference proceedings. 

Motions to dissolve an interference are heard by the primary examiner. 

The assistant examiners search for references and evidence as to patentability, and 
present the case to the principal examiner, with the evidence collected ; and from the 
decision arrived at an action is made, and the inventor is informed by the Commis¬ 
sioner. 

The lady clerk of the division enters each day, in the register, the applications re¬ 
ceived, alter it is ascertained to which division they properly belong. She records 
all actions of the office in the register (the office action and the inventors are recorded 
upon the back of the file), makes all proper amendments or changes in the case, di¬ 
rected by the inventor; copies all office letters and prepares them for the mail; copies 
all statements, decisions, reports, &c.; stamps and properly numbers file and drawing, 
and all papers, and records the patents, each week, in their proper column; in the regis¬ 
ter. She keeps account of all cases called up or sent out of the room, and receives 
and disposes of them on their return. She also makes up the daily, weekly, and 
monthly reports of time and work to the Commissioner. 

Statement of the first division of the United States Patent Office, showing the methods 
adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipt 
of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and 
giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business mat¬ 
ters, through the variousdivisionsof the office and the various bureaus, and divisions 
of such bureaus, aud employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom 
it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until 
the same is finally disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Applications for letters patent and caveats, as they are received each day from the 
application division, are inspected to ascertain to which division they properly be¬ 
long, and are then recorded in the register by the lady clerk, who places the serial 
number and book number upon the drawing aud papers. The case is then ready for 
examination, and is taken up in the order of its date of filing, and examined as to 
novelty, utility, clearness of description and illustration, formality of petition, oath, 
signatures, &c., aud the inventor or his attorney is informed of the office decision. 
The case, if rejected, then awaits the inventor’s action. If allowed, for grant of pat¬ 
ent, the case receives the signature of the examiner in charge, and is sent to the issue 
division, where it is prepared (on payment of the final fee) for the jirinter and pho¬ 
tolithographer. 

When the inventor amends, or requests a reconsideration, the case is again taken up, 
the amendment or argument considered, aud a decision rendered, as before. 

In case the inventor appeals to the board of examiners-in-chief or to the Commis¬ 
sioner, the examiner prepares a statement (in reply to the “reasons of appeal”) to 
accompany the case. 

When two or more pending cases or pending case with unexpired patents have 
conflicting claims, the examiner forwards to the examiner of interferences notices of 
interference (together with the files and drawings) for all the parties, and if the issue 
has been -well defined, aud the notices are correct, the interference is declared pro forma 
by forwarding the notices to the several parties. 

After the decision of the examiner of interferences (upon evidence submitted or 
upon the record) as to which party is the prior inventor, the cases are returned to the 
primary examiner, and further action taken in accordance with such decision. 

Motions to dissolve an interference are heard and decided by the primary examiner. 
Applications for reissue of letters patent are considered by the primary examiner, 
and are also subject to appeal, interference, correction, or amendment. 

Cases renewed after forfeiture for non-payment of the final fee are entered and ex¬ 
amined with the new cases. 






278 


TltE DEPARTMENT OE THE iNTERiOK. 


[Note hij Committee: The siibjoiued stiitement was substituted for three sheets in re¬ 
port.] 

Tlie following statement shows the amoniit and character of business on hand, re¬ 
ceived, and disposed of in the first division of the Patent Office at the times named: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1884. 

1 

Disposed o f 

in 1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,.1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing. 1885.. 

1 

Disposed' of: 

in 1885.. 

d 

.0? 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of 

in 1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received up to 

Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 

to Mar. 1,1887. 

New applications for pat¬ 
ents; caveats; cases re¬ 
turned to the office for 
reconsideration, either by 
amendment, correction, or 
request for reconsider¬ 
ation ; declarations of in¬ 
terference ; renewed cases; 
reissues and appeals. 

160 

2, 791 

2, 658 

293 

3,671 

3, 821 

143 

3,134 

3,186 

93 

460 

474 


SECOND EXAMINING DIVISION. 

Report of the second examining division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of 
business and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department 
circular of March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the second examin¬ 
ing division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

Examination of applications for letters x^atent. 

\^Note by Committee: The subjoined statement was substituted for four sheets of 
tables.] 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business on hand, re¬ 
ceived, and disposed of in the examining division No. 2 of the Patent Office at the 
times named: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed ot 
in 1884. 

a 

cS 

S 

O 

Received dur- 
j ing 1885. j 

Disposed of 
in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1 , 1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of 
in 1886. 

d 

ce 

.3 

D 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed nf up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1, 1887. 

Examination of applications 
for letters patent: 

New applications. 

410 

1, 624 

1, 539 

495 

1,396 

1,747 

144 

1,383 

1,461 

66 

229 

230 

65 

Work returned. 

62 

2, 670 

2, 641 

91 

3, 774 

3, 770 

95 

3, 589 

3,623 

61 

506 

509 

58 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in ex¬ 
amining division No. 2 of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

j Year. 

Jan. 

-a 

Ph 

d 

u 

ft 

May. 

June. 

July. 

bio 

a 

Sept. 

Oct. 

> 

o 

Dec. 

Examination of applications for letters 
patent. 

1884 

78 

74 

58 

57 

62 

57 

63 

87 

45 

65 

45 

76 

Do. 

1885 

59 

62 

84 

79 

74 

70 

83 

58 

58 

61 

55 

54 

Do. 

1886 

57 

70 

86 

78 

63 

77 

66 

69 

63 

67 

72 

55 

Do. 

1887 

63 

60 























The slight decrease in the averages for September, October, and November, 1884, 
was due to the fact that the time of the examiner and assistants was required in pre¬ 
paring the exhibit for the New Orleans Exposition ; the increase from March to July, 
1885, to extra or night work done by employes to bring up the work of the division. 


1,1887. 



















































































THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


279 


The following statement shows the average uumher of employ<?s in examining divis¬ 
ion No. 2 of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified ; 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb» 

Mar. 

Ai)r. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Augi 

Sept. 

Oct. 

NoV. 

Dec. 

( 

6 

G 

6 

5 

5 

G 

6 

6 

5 

H 

5 

5 

1884 .< 

2 

2 

2 

.2 

2 

U 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

( 

8 

8 

7 

7 

7 

n 

7 

7 

6 

6^ 

7 

7 

C 

6 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

• 7 

7 

7 

7 

1885 .< 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 



7 

8 

8 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

( 

7 

7 

7 

6 

6 

6 

6 

G 

6 

6 

5 

6 

1886 . < 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1 

9 

9 

9 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

7 

8 

( 

6 

6 











1887 (to March 1)____ < 

2 

2 











^ ^ 1 

8 

8 

























The first line opposite each year indicates the number of examiners, the second the 
number of clerks, and the third the total. 

The principal examiner is included, whose time was principally employed in re¬ 
viewing and revising the work of the assistant examiners. 

The average number of employes for 1884 was 7 -^^; 1885, 8§ ; 1886, 8|, and 1887, 8. 

The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the 
least during the periods specified in examining division No. 2 of the Patent Office, 
Department of the Interior; 


[Examination of applications for letters patent.—EmpIoy6 doing the most.—Maximum.] 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June, j July. 

Aug. 

Sept.j Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 










109 

1885. 

102 

110 

140 

146 

118 

113 1 152 

112 

114 no 

83 

104 

]88C.:. 

93 

103 

140 

117 

93 

108 1 108 

110 

105 1 116 

90 

96 

1RS7 lin 1 ^ 

109 

103 






1 







1 


1 




i [Examination of applications for letters patent.—Employd doing the least.—Minimum.] 

I. _ 


1884. . 












53 

1885. 

45 

43 

42 

48 

49 

18 

49 

31 

39 

41 

49 

39 

1866 . 

47 

49 

35 

75 

61 

70 

71 

70 

62 

57 

61 

48 


57 

59 























Individual reports were not kept prior to December, 1884, no order having been 
issued by the Commissioner for such reports. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in examining division No. 2 of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Tear. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number by proxy. 

1884 . 


276 

6i 

None. 

18^ ... 

8f 

277J 

6^ 

None. 

188fi . 


27GJ 

6i 

None. 


8 

47i 


None. 




























































































280 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to busi¬ 
ness by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the mini 
mum number of days devoted to business by the employd present tor the least 
number of days in examining division No. '2 ot the United States Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 

Character of business. 

Maximum number of days. 

Minimum number of days. 

284 

219 

297 

2G5 

289 

273 

48 

42 

Examining applications for let¬ 
ters patents, and clerical work. 


Apparent excess of days in 1885 and 188(1 was owing to extra work performed in 
1885, and to the fact that the leave granted by law was not all taken in 1880. The 
minimum exhibit was caused by sickness. 


THIRD DIVISION. 

Report of the third division U. S. Patent Office on the methods of husiness and woric, as 
requested by Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular of March 13, 
1887. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the tliird division of the 
office of Commissioner of Patents for the years 1884,1885,1886, and 1887 (to March 1): 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

197 

178 

211 

184 

237 

181 

210 

187 

237 

188 

195 

223 

1885. 

245 

2 .'K) 

317 

280 

263 

231 

250 

220 

278 

227 

212 

158 

1886.. 

20.3 

188 

237 

197 

136 


294 

256 

290 

156 

297 

271 

1 SS7 (to Afflrob 1) . 

310 

282 


















Actions on all applications, caveats, and amended cases. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named: 



The figures in the first line opposite each year indicate those engaged in examining applications, or 
in making the actions referred to in the first-named table above. 


The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during each month of 
the years named: 

[Actions on applications.—Maximum.] 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












60 

52 

73 

1885. 


83 

43 

67 

103 

65 

64 

58 

63 

39 

60 

68 

68 

94 

72 

97 

79 

98 

58 

46 

57 

80 

1886. 

50 

82 

1887 (to March 1). 













[Actions on applications.—Minimum.] 


1884. 












41 
45 

42 

1885. 


17 

23 

58 

47 

29 

40 

26 

31 

27 

31 

55 

41 

57 

39 

64 

47 

29 

38 

29 

35 

55 

1886. 

17 

55 

1887 (to March 1). 









































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


281 


Prior to the year 188.') individual work reports were not required in the examining 
divisions of the U.S. Patent Office (see Commissioner’s order No. 200, November 29, 
1884). ’ ’ 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employ6 present for the 
greater number of days and employ6 present for the least number of days : 


Tear. 

Average No. 

of days. 

Hours daily. 

Maximum No. 

of days. 

Minimum No. 

of days. 

1884. . 

980 

7 

288 

272 

1885. 

213 

7 

278 

267 

1886. 

‘-83 

7 

289 

276 

1887 (to March 1). 

44 

8 

48 

40 



The average is here made between the employ6 having the maximum number of 
days and the employ^ having the minimum number of days. 

The time devoted to office work by the members of the examining force of this di¬ 
vision has not been restricted to seven hours, or the regular office hours, as the mem¬ 
bers are in the habit of remaining after 4 o’clock, and also returning to do official 
work in the evening. 


Thefollowing statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed of, at 
the dates specified below, in the division of metallurgy, in the United States Patent 
Office: 


Character of business. 


Applications.. 
Amended cases 


I ^ 

1 cS 

^ i-T 
<v 


,128 

39 


Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 1 

1,1885. 1 

Received dar¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

3 

^ . 

, !>• 
CS.OO 

s ^ 

s 

2-1 

837 

1,618 


44 

13 

1 . 080 
2,003 

.1,43 

1,127 
1,756 


96 

89 

2, 565 

2, 959 1 38 

2, 879 


- 


202 

426 


O >-1 
i-T 




woo 


592 


106 

91 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the third division 
of the Patent Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or more items 
of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with the 
receipt of the business matter in the examiners’ division, and then showing in con¬ 
secutive order the various stejis taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the appropriate divisions of said office and the employes through whose 
hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the ac¬ 
tion thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of, and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

DUTIES OF THE PRINCIPAL EXAMINER OF DIVISION III. 

First. Supervising the work of the division in all its details. 

Second. Personally considering all applications for patents, new or amended, 
which are acted upon in the division, the same being submitted to the examiuer by 
the assistants. 

Third. Hearing oral arguments of attorneys and applicants in regard to i)ending 
cases, and answering questions in regard to the chemical industries covered by the 
classes of the division. 

Fourth. Declaring interferences, and deciding motions to dissolve same. 

Fifth. Making statements in cases appealed to the board of examiners-in-chicf, and 
answering motions or petitions to the Commissioner. 

Sixth. Examining applications, signing cases prepared for issue, also signing all 
letters, reports, and requisitions, emanating from the division. 















































282 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


DUTIES OP ASSISTANT EXAMINERS. 

First. lu new applications, carefully reads the specification of each application, and 
compares the descriptive matter with the tij^ures of the drawing, at the same time 
making notes of all inaccuracies in the wording of the specification, lettering of the 
drawings, &c. After this formal examination of the papers in each case, the assistant 
makes a search, first, through tne United States patents of the class or classes hearing 
the closest relation to the case in hand; second, through the English, Gernaan, and 
other classified foreign patents, and finally through the works on the chemical arts 
in the Patent Office library. After a complete search to determine the novelty of the 
invention in question, the assistant prepares a digest of the application, if it so re¬ 
quires, and collects the materials for the proposed office action, and submits the case 
to the principal examiner, following which the letter to the applicant is prepared. 

Second. In old cases or amended applications w'hich come up for action, the assist¬ 
ant carefully considers the amendment and argument of the attorney or applicant, in 
connection with the references and objections of the record, and after carefully com- 
jjaring the claims or specification with the amendment, either repeats his former ob- 
j ections, or if the changes in the presentation of the case so demand makes a further 
record or prepares the case for issue ; in either case submitting the application to the 
principal examiner. 

Third. Classifying patents. 

Fourth. Distributing copies of patents, photolithographs, drawings, &c., used in 
the examination of cases. 

DUTIES OF THE EXAMINERS’ CLERK. 


First. Giving applications and caveats and their drawings the proper book num¬ 
ber, then registering the serial, monthly, and book number of each case, also the 
name of applicant and attorney, title of the invention, date of the ajiplication, date 
received in the examiners’ room, number of the sheets of drawings in each case, and, 
finally properly indexing such register. 

Second. Press-copying and indexing the office letters or actions in each case, and 
mailing the type-written copies, and entering these actions in the official register. 

Third. Entering amendments to specifications and letters from applicants, indors¬ 
ing such amendments and letters on the file wrapper, and also registering such 
amendments and letters in the examiners’ book. 

Fourth. Distributing and stamping files and drawings of apiilications, and getting 
them out when needed. 

Fifth. Filling out the monthly, weekly, and daily reports, also keeping the daily 
time report of the employes of the division. 

Sixth. Making up cases for issue, filing brief in each case, and preparing apiilica- 
tion for examiner’s signature. 

The following statement shows the principal items of business transacted in the 
third division of the United Sates Patent Office: 

Examining applications for patents for improvements in processes and apparatus 
in the following subclasses of industrial chemistry: 


[Classes. —7. Brewing and fermenting. 96. Coating with metal. 124. Distillation, 48. Gas. 75. 
Metallurgy. 148. Metal tempering, annealing, and cementation. [ 


Class 7.— Bretoinq and ferment¬ 
ing. (III.) 

9. Fermented beverages. 

1. Fermenting-vats. 

3. Malting. 

4. Mashing. 

5. Mash-heaters. 

6. Preserving beer and wine. 

7. Purifying beer and wine. 

8. Hop-backs. 

10. Wine. 

Class 96,— Coating with metal. 
qu.) 

1. Electro-deposition. 

2. Galvanizing. 

5. Nickel-plating. 

8. Precipitating. 

7. Tinning. 

Class 124.— Distillation, (m.) 

1. Aging liquors. 

2. Alcohol. 

3. Burning-fluid. 


Class 124.— Distillation, (iii)— 
Continued, 

4. Condensers. 

6. Fire-tests, 

7. Fresh water. 

8. Oil. 

9. ParafiBne. 

10. Preparing grain. 

11. Refining oils. 

13. Revenue-guards. 

12. Turpentine. 

Class 48,—Gas. (iii.) 

1. Anti-combustion. 

2 . Carburetors— 

24. Carbureting-lamps, 

29. Float-vaporizers, 

25. Gas and air mixers, 

3. Jet-mixer.s, 

26. Oil-feed, float-valves, 

27. Oil-feed, rotary, 

28. Revolving. 

4. Center-seals and by-pass 

valves. 

9. Dip-pipes. 


Class 48.— Oas. (iii)—Continued. 

10. Exhausters. 

Gas— 

5. Coal, 

6. Coal and oil, 

8. Coal and water, 

7. Coal, oil, and water, 

12. Hvdrogen, 

13. Oil, 

14. Oil and water. 

19. Water, 

20. Wood, 

22. Gas distribution. 

11. Gas-holders. 

15. Purifiers. 

18. Retoit-chargers. 

23. Retort gas-furnaces. 

16. Retort-nds. 

17. Retorts and settings. 

Class 75.— Metallurgy, (iii.) 

1. Alloys. 

31. Amalgamators — 

34. Electric, 

35. Lead, 

36. Mercury, 


283 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 


INTERIOR. 


(jlass Metallurgy, (iii)—Cou- Classlo. — Metallurgy, (iii)— Con- Class75. — Metallurgy, (iii)—Con 

tiuued. tinned. 


31. Amalgamators—Continued. 

37. Plate, 

33. Vacuum, 

38. Vapor. 

2. Assaying. 

4. Blast-furnace accessories. 

7. Calcining-kilns. 

8. Coke and charcoal. 

3. Converters. 

54. Drying air. 

30. Fume-arresters. 

10. Furnace-protecting, 

82. Firebrick. 

Furnaces— 

83. Annealing, 

5. Blast, 

29. Crucible, 

9. Cupola, 

11. Gas, 

81. Burners, 

88. ■ Heating air and gas, 

7.8. Mixing air and gas, 

80. Producers, 

10. For heating blanks, 

41. Hydrocarbon— 

42. Injector-burners, 

43. Retort-vaporizers, 

84. Melting, 

19. Pigment, 

20. Puddling, 

26. Shaft and shelf. 

12. Hot-blast ovens— 

52. Single surface, 

53. Double surface. 


14. Iron and steel direct— 

71. Furnaces, 

72. Retort-furnaces, 

73. Bricks, 

74. Flux, 

75. Gases, 

76. Slag, 

77. Sponge. 

15. Lead, 

16. Mechanical puddlers an( 

tools. 

22. Quicksilver. 

17. Reducing and separating— 

57. Apparatus, 

58. Aluminium, 

62. Copper, 

59. Desilverizing lead, 

60. Desulphurizing ores, 

61. Disintegrating ores, 

63. Flux, 

64. Gold and silver, 

85. Manganese, 

66. Nickel and cobalt, 

65. Ore bricks. 

23. Regenerators. 

24. Revolving roasters. 

25. Roasting and smelting 

hearths. 

18. Solution and precipita 

tion— 

86. Apparatus, 

67. Chlorination, 

68. Electrolysis, 

69. Ferric salts. 


18. Solution and precipitation— 
Continued. 

70. Parting bullion. 

28. Spelter. 

27. Treating molten iron— 

44. Air, steam, and gases, 

45. Alloys, 

46. Basic, 

87. Basic linings, 

47. Granulating, 

48. Oxides. 

49. Physic, 

50. Scrap, 

51. Vacuum. 

39. Tuyeres. 

55. Utilizing tin scrap— 

56. Wet processes. 

Glass 148. —Metal tempering, an¬ 
nealing, and cementation, (iii.) 

7. Cementation and case hard 

euiug. 

8 . Decarbonizing. 

9. Tempering and annealing— 

10. Applications of electric¬ 

ity. 

11 . Compositions, 

3. Metals generally, 

12. Metals other than iron, 

4. Sheets and plate metal, 

5. Wheels and tires, 

6 . Wire and springs. 


Attention is respectfully called to the fact that the number of so-called “actions’’ 
in this division in no wise adequately represents the amount of labor bestowed on the 
consideration of applications. In this division, the official title of which is somewhat 
misleading, are examined inventions in the chief branches of applied chemistry, 
metallurgy in its widest sense, including the application of electricity to the extrac¬ 
tion and deposition of metals, the manufacture of gas, of illuminating oils, and alco¬ 
holic liquors. This list represents, probably, the chief manufactures of the United 
States. Vast interests are often involved in the questions presented to >he examiner, 
and irreparable injury may be inflicted by an erroneous decision on his part. The 
inventors, too, are in many instances passed masters in their respective arts, men of 
great learning, and well acquainted with what has already been accomplished by 
previous laborers. To determine the novelty of what a Thomas, a Siemens, an Edi¬ 
son believes to be new in the art to which he has devoted his life is not a task to be 
accomplished by the inspection of a limited number of drawings, but demands and 
receives the labor of days of patient research in all the accessible English, German, 
American, and French patents bearing on the subject, the volumes of the scientific 
journals, and treatises, ever increasing in number, on the matters involved. The files 
of the patent cases may be referred to as indicating (though imperfectly, since they 
only record results) the extent of the field of search. 

From what has been stated, it will be evident that the amount of work performed in 
this division cannot be estimated by the number of letters written. It often, indeed, 
happens that the number of so-called ‘ ‘ actions ” is in in verse ratio to the amount of labor 
bestowed on an application and to the care exercised by the examiner to secure fair 
treatment for the applicant and a prompt disposition of his case. The more careful 
and exhaustive is the search which is made before a letter is written the more quickly 
do the true limits of the invention become visible to the examiner and the applicant, 
and the fewer “ actions” are required to make a final determination of the patent¬ 
ability of the subject matter of the application. It may not be improper to refer, in 
this connection, to the fact that after a careful search through the record of litigated 
patents the examiner can find no patent issued from this division in the past ten years 
that has ever been upset ,by the courts on references overlooked in the examination 
preceding its issue. 




284 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


FOURTH DIVISION. 

Report of the fourth dimsion, United States Patent Office, on the methods of husiness and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 2‘S, 18«7. 

Tlio following statement shows the amount and character of business on hand, re¬ 
ceived, and disposed of in the civil engineering division. No. 4, of the office of the 
Patent Office at the times named : 




P 

o 

P 

C3 

P 

Ph 

o 

P 


of 

i 

P 

P . 

o 

a.t2 

e-t-: 



^ * 

-TSH-; 



\6 




. O 

^ , 

CO 

CO 

o ^ 


Character of business. 

W'cc 


•w 00 

<V CO 

P 00 

QJ 00 

^ r-t 

00 

0 ) 00 

'CCx 
a 00 

rS 00 

<Q Oj 

^ T—1 

'w CO 
o; 00 

OD *-1 

bJoo 
a 00 

1 —♦ 

1-1 

^ . 

OQ 

bloo 

aoo 


Pr-T 

.S '-1 

® bC 

g a 


P 

•s ^ 

9.9 

® a 

03 

P ^ 

o.a 

^.9 

02 

rH 

P 

•pH • 

o rt 




P-( 


5 



s 



5 



PB 

P 

Applications. 

263 

1,489 

1,431 

321 

1,441 

1, 560 

202 

1, 647 ■ 

1,613 

236 

205 

250 

191 

Caveats. 

238 

128 

225 

141 

100 

122 

119 

115 

106 

128 

24 

26 

1 I6 


* The figures in these columns denote both new applications on hand and applications renewed or 
renewable by aincTidinent. 

t The figures in these columns denote the number of new applications only received during the year 
or per iod. They do not include applications denied and afterwards brought up lor action again by 
amendment or the like. 

The following statement shows in detail the busine.ss in the civil engineering, fourth 
division, of the office of the Commissioner of Patents for the years 1884,1885,1880, 
and 1887 (to March 1): 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

301 

292 

334 

312 

357 

325 

330 

208 

171 

266 

281 

307 

Ih85. 

276 

264 

484 

404 

335 

360 

271 

211 

213 

394 

291 

265 

1886. 

330 

2.51 

370 

302 

276 

306 

290 

274 

214 

227 

272 

308 

1887 (to March 1). 

344 

326 













The figures denote the number of actions on cases for the times specified. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named ; 



The above are examiners employed for specified time; in addition one clerk was employed during all 
of said time for clerical duty. 


The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the employ<S doing the least, during each month 
of the years named : 

MAXIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885. 

48 

71 

106 

64 

83 

98 

103 

100 

105 

91 

76 

75 

81 

84 

89 

97 

74 

-72 

68 

101 

65 

73 

72 

65 

71 

107 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 







■ 






MINIMUM. 


1885. 

28 

32 

32 

25 

16 

48 

34 

9 

40 

34 

35 

4 

42 

14 

17 

13 

30 

12 

20 

9 

58 

23 

36 

12 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 












No account of actions kept for 1884, as it was not then required. 































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


285 


Average number of dags and the time and attention devoted to the consideration and trans¬ 
action of business during the years named, also the number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^present for the greatest number of days and employe present for the least 
number of days. 


Calendar year. 

Average No. 
of days. 

Hours daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 

Maximum 
No. of days.* 

Minimum 
No. of days.* 

1884 . 

243.6 

7 

In person... 

298 

259 

1885 . 

298 

7 

In person... 

275 

234 

1886 . 

302.3 

7 

In person... 

293 

255 

1887 (to March 1). 

50 

7 

In person... 

52 

52 


* Employes in the division during the entire year. 


In 1884, three persons were in the division fractions of the year, averaging 129 
days each. 

In 1885, four persons were in the division fractions of the year, averaging 91 days 
each. 

In 1886, seven persons were in the division fractions of the year, averaging 117 
days each. 

In January and February, 1887, one person was in the division less than one 
month, working 24 days. 


FINE ARTS (FIFTH) DIVISION. 

Beport of the fine arts (fifth) division of the Patent Office on the methods of business and 
ivork, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

{^Note by Committee: The following has been substituted for four sheets given in 
report. ] 

The amount and character of business on hand, received and disposed of in the fine 
arts division (No. 5) of the office of the Commissioner of Patents at the times named: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in I 

1884. 1 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

Pending Jan. | 

1, 1887. 1 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Applications for patents, 
caveats, cases returned to 
the office for reconsidera¬ 
tion accompanied eith er by 
amendment, argument, or 
lequest for reconsidera¬ 
tion without change, dec¬ 
larations of interference, 
renewed cases, reissue ap¬ 
plications, and appeals.... 

277 

2, 580 

2,240 

617 

4,139 

4,253 

503 

3,994 

4, 370 

127 

628 

645 

no 


The following statement show the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the division of tine arts (division 5) in the office 
of the Commissioner of Patents ; 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
j 1885. 

a 

WrOO 

r.*'CO 

►H rH 

s 

Ph 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1887. 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

1 Disposed of up 
! to Mar. 1.1887. 

Applications for patents. 

277 

2, 520 

2,180 

617 

4, 067 

4,181 

503 

3, 932 

4, 308 

127 

620 

637 

Applications for caveats. 


60 

60 


72 

72 


62 

62 

.... 

8 

8 
































































286 


TOE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


These figures represent new applications for patents, caveats, cases returned to the 
office for reconsideration, accompanied either by amendment, argument, or request 
for reconsideration without change. Declarations of interference, renewed cases, re¬ 
issue applications, and appeals are also included. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the fine arts (fifth) divi¬ 
sion of the office of the Commissioner of Patents, Department of the Interior, for the 
years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 (to March 1): 

PER CAPITA.* 


Year. 

January. 

• 

February. 

1 

March. 

j 

1 

April. 

May. 

June. 


4^ 

ao 

S 

bO 

C3 

< 

1 September. 

j October. 

(£> 

3 

c; 

k 

c 

j December. 

Average 

number 

employed. 

1884 . 

52 

52 

46 

62 

51 

48 

30 

81 

16 

19 

18 

42 

5 

188.5. 

50 

56 

98 

70 

92 

98 

68 

68 

66 

49 

62 

48 

5 

1886 . 

71 

61 

68 

56 

85 

65 

69 

80 

73 

39 

76 

55 

5 

1887 (to March 1).. 

55 

50 











6 













* Only those engaged in examining work included in this table. The last column shows the aver 
age number engaged. 


SUM TOTALS. 


1884. 

259 

260 

229 

310 

348 

279 

2.54 

458 

427 

238 

490 

149 

405 

81 

93 

91 

211 

1885. 

2.52 

281 

491 

338 

342 

329 

243 

312 

240 

1886 .. 

353 

307 

341 

323 

344 

401 

367 

196 

380 

276 

1887 (to March 1).. 

329 

299 












The following statement shows the average number of emploj'ds during each month 
of the years named : 

/ 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

—r- 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

8 

7 

8 

8 

8 


6 

6 

4 

4 

6 

7 

1885. 

5 

7 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

7 

7 

8 

7 

7 

3886. 

8 

8 

9 

9 

8 

8 

8 

7 

7 

8 

10 

9 

1887 (to March 1). 

9 

9 



















Total force (both examining and clerical) included in this table. 


The following table shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of by 
the employ^ doing the most and the employ6 doing the least during each month of 
the following years: 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












80 

56 

89 

3885. 

101 

96 

94 

74 

70 

69 

134 

67 

103 

56 

102 

162 

137 

104 

67 

99 

78 

69 

79 

197 

70 

44 

80 

111 

1886. 

i887j(to March 1). 




1 







MINIMUM. 

1884. 












18 

40 

21 

1885. 

24 

59 

22 

23 

52 

26 

28 

15 

30 

12 

48 

33 

49 

21 

39 

31 

39 

16 

35 

24 

31 

18 

44 

26 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 













No record of individual work was required to be kept by office order iirior to De¬ 
cember, 1884. 
































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


287 


Tbe clerical force is not iucliided in this sheet, the work performed by it being so 
varied and miscellaneous in character as to preclude the possibility of averaging the 
same with that performed by the examining force. 

riie following shows the average number of days and the time and attention devoted 
to the consideration and transaction ot business during the years named, and number 
of days devoted to business by the employd present for the greatest number of days 
and employ6 present for the least number of days: 


Tear. 


1S84. 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1) 


B . 

c * 

S S-I 


190f 

ISOx-V 

43i 


a 


a 

o 

W 


7 

7 

7 6 

• tr 
7 


>> 


c 

M 


^ CQ 
Sh 
X d 
<£> O 

O c3 
03 

« <D 

> a 


In person 

— do_ 

_do_ 

—do- 


No record. 


IT 

No record. 


P 05 

” S’ 
Sts 

P«w 

y. <0 

ce .2 


285 

302 

290 

48 


a . 

3 05 
0 kj 
es 

S'® 

3'*- 
3 ® 
.3 ^ 

3 3 


254 

277 

252 

36 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the fine arts (fifth) 
division of the United States Patent Office. 

Examination of applications for patents. 

Examination of applications for reissues. 

Examination of caveats. 

Reconsideration of rejected or otherwise acted on applications, as requested or 
amended. 

Preparation of sfatements in case of applicants appealing from the decision of the 
examiner to the examiner-in-chief or the Commissioner in person. 

Declarations of interferences as between conflicting applications or applications 
and unexpired patents. 

Hearings and decisions before and by the principal examiner on motions for the 
dissolution of interferences. 

Searches made by the assistant examiners for references and evidence as to the 
fact of patentability or otherwise, those found being presented for review by the 
principal and according to the decision arrived at, actions being made by them on 
the applications under consideration and the applicants duly notified of the same by 
the Commissioner. 

All these actions of the office are recorded bj'^ the clerk of division in the Exam¬ 
iner’s Journal, such acUons being duly noted on the backs of the files by the assist¬ 
ants making the examinations. She also makes all proper changes in a case as di¬ 
rected by amendment filed by the applicant; copies all office letters and prepares 
them for the mail; takes press-copies of the originals, indorses the same, and files 
them away in the cases to which they respectively belong; also copies all statements, 
decisions, reports, &.C., and stamps and properly numbers all papers, files, and draw¬ 
ings. She keeps strict account of all cases called up or sent out of the room, and re¬ 
ceives and disposes of the same on their return. The clerk makes out also the daily, 
iveekly, and monthly reports of time and work for the information of the Commissioner. 


Statement of the fine arts (fifth) division of the United States Patent Office, showing 
the methods adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning willi 
'the receipt of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Depart¬ 
ment, and, giving in consecutive order, the various steps taken l3y each of such busi¬ 
ness matters, through the various divisions of the office and the various Bureaus, and 
divisions of such Bureaus, and employes through whose hands the same passes, and 
by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by 
each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the 
proper party. 

Applications for letters patent, as they are received each day from the applicaliou 
division, are iusjiected by the principal examiner to ascertain to which class they 
properly belong, and are then duly recorded in the journal by the clerk who jilaces 
the serial number and book number upon the papers and drawing. Such are then 
ready for examination, each case being taken up in the order of its date of filing and 
exaiiiined as to novelty, utility, clearness of description, and illustration, and as to 
matters of form, and the in ven torpor his attorney informed of the office decision by let¬ 
ter. The case, if rejected, then awaits action by the applicant. If allowed for patent 
by the examiner, it is sent to the issue division, where it is prepared (on payment of 
the final fee) for the printer and photolithographer, 



























288 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


When the inventor amends or asks for a reconsideration of his case, it is a<^ain taken 
np for examination, and a decision rendered thereon, as before. In case an appeal is 
taken to the board of exaniiuers-iu-chief, the examiner in charge 2 )repares a state¬ 
ment, furnishing the grounds of his action (in reply to the reasons of appeal) to ac¬ 
company the case. 

When two or more pending cases or a i^endiugcase and nnex 2 )ired patent have con- 
tlicting claims, the examiner forwards the interference letters (written and addressed 
to the respective parties) to the examiner of interferences, together wdth the files and 
drawings, and if the issue has been well defined, and the notices of interference cor¬ 
rect, the same is declared forma by the forwarding of said notices to the several 
liar ties interested. 

After the decision of the examiner of interferences, based upon the evidence sub¬ 
mitted as to the question of priority of invention, the cases are returned to the exam¬ 
iner and further action taken by him in accordance w'i'.h such decision. 

Applications for reissue of letters patent arc carefully examined and critically re¬ 
viewed, and are subject to appeal, interference, correction, or amendment, as the case 
may be, like other applications. 

Cases renewed after forfeiture for non-payment of the final fee are entered and ex¬ 
amined as new cases. 

The general subjects of invention examined in this division are classified as fol¬ 
lows : 

Fine arts, jewelry, music, photography, stationery, toilet, and umbrellas and canes. 


CHEMICAL DIVISION. 

Feport of the chemical division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of husiness 
and work, as requested hy Senate Select Committee and called for hy Department circular 
of Afarch ‘23, lb87. 

The following statement show’s the principal items of business transacted in the 
chemical division of the United States Patent Office. 

In this division are examined applications for patents upon— 

Class 44. — Fuel. Class 87—Continued. 


Class Bleaching and dyeing.. 

Apron vats and stretchers, 
Bleachins, 

Carbon dyes, 

Dyeing processes. 

Dyes, 

Mordants, 

Perforated rolls and spraj" jets. 
Press dyeing, 

Kenovaling dress, 

Vats, close, 

Vats, open, 

Steam and bleach chest.s. 

Wool cleaning. 

Class 23.— Chemicals. 

Acids, mineral. 

Ammonia, 

Apparatus, 

Carbon compositions. 

Distilling wood, 
Eire-extinguishing comiiounds. 
Metalloids, 

Packing chemicals. 

Purifying water. 

Salines, 

Soda and potash. 

Class 52. — Explosives. 

Blasting compounds. 

Fulminates, 

Gunpowder, 

Alatches, 

Nilro compounds. 

Class 71.— Fertilizers. 

Apparatus, 

Compositions, 

Organic, 

Phosphate.s, 

Sewage and night soil. 


Artificial, 

Fire-kindlers, 

I*eat-machines, 

Purifying coal. 

Class 149. —Hides, skins, and 
leather. 

Bating, 

Coloring and polishing. 
Currying, 

Depilating, 

Preserving hides. 

Tanning materials. 

Tanning processes. 

Tawing. 


Disinfectants, 

Extracts, 

Hair dyes and tonics, 
Insecticides, 

Internal remedies. 

Plasters, 

Topical remedies, 

Veterinaiy. 

Class 87.— Oils, fats, and glue. 

Adhesives, 

Artificial butter. 

Barrel-linings, 

Bleaching, 

(kindles and apparatus. 
Decomposing fats, 

Detergents, 

Extracting oils. 

Glue, 

Lard-coolers, 

Lubricants, 

Lubricants, treating oils for, 


liefiniug fat oils, 

Ileudering, 

feoap. 

Soap cutting. 

Soap manufacture, 

AVax, 

Wool-oils. 

Class 91.— Painting. 

Enameling wood. 
Fire-proofing compounds. 
Graining, 

Ink: 

Indelliblc, 

Printing, 

Writing, 

Japanning. 

Lamp-black, 

Mixed paints. 

Painting, 

Painting-machines, 

Paint-mixers. 

Pigments, 

Stencils, 

Stove polishes, • 
Striping, 

A''arnisiiea, 

Varnishing-machines, 
White lead. 

Class Preserving. 

Antiseptics, 

Apparatus, 

Cold. 

De.siccation, 

Egg-testers, 

Embalming, 

Exclusion of air. 

Food coinpounds. 
Fumigation, 

Panification, 

Wood saturation. 


Class 107. — Hedicines. 

Not dyes. Aerated beverages. 
Capsules, 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


289 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, a nd disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specilied below, in the chemical division of the Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Character of business. 


Applications ... 
Amended cases. 


1:3 


115 

130 


a 

ffl 

Ph 


921 


o 

00 
X GO 
O r-l 

X 


d 

C3 

1- 

«> 

Ph 


914 122 
1,069! 1,108 130 


(.1 

s 


Ph 


® 00 
X 00 

O i-i 

P. 

X 


■3 r-.' 
a 


989, 1,028! 
1, 66u 1, 696 


u 

a 

o 

T-{ 

.Pt oc 

a 

<0 

P^ 


1,332 
1, 563 


o 

'd CO 

X 'JO 


1,275 

1,482 


a 

cS 

ap; 


140 

136 




•—<X) 

a^l 

. 

0 ) C 3 




190 

236 


es 

« 

P^ 


162 

265 


177 

107 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the chemical division of the 
United States Patent Office for the years 1884,1885,1886, and 1887, (to March 1.) 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May.^June. 

1 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1884... 

169 

192 

200 

198 

170 

188 

176 

150 

151 

205 

139 

1885. 

219 

187 

247 

238 

208 

238 

2.58 

256 

189 

171 

212 

1886. 

189 

234 

167 

241 

232 

229 

207 

180 

119 

204 

213 

259 

1887 (t,n March 1) . 

193 












Actions upon all applications. 


The following statement shows the average number of employds during each mouth 
of the years named: 



The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ6 doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during each month 
of the following years : 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

60 

85 

71 

64 

55 

74 

80 

36 

80 

61 

47 

116 

1885 . 

100 

86 

100 

105 

■ 72 

105 

103 

110 

104 

83 

99 

75 

1886 . 

70 

63 

100 

100 

85 

88 

67 

55 

93 

82 

104 

66 


64 

89 























MINIMUM. 


1QQ4 . ... 












7 

1885 . 

16 

11 

19 

7 

18 

7 

28 

22 

9 

4 

21 

10 

] 886 . 

12 

10 

15 

7 

14 

2 

14 

11 

9 

8 

13 

9 


13 

3 











loOl \ tO iSXcil CU 






1 

. 

1 


The reason why such account was not kept in this division prior to December 1, 1884, 
is, that order No. 200, directing the examiners to keep (in addition to the usual 
monthly report) a daily record of the work performed in their respective divisions, 
and report the same to the Commissioner, was not issued until November 29,1884; 
therefore the first report was made under such order, January 1, 1885. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the i)eriods 

4402 INT-10 





























































































































290 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


specified, by tbe employds in the chemical division of the United States Patent Office, 
Department of the Interior : 



Year. 

Number of 
omployfis. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number by 
proxy. 

1884 . 

51 

27G? 

7 

In person. 

1885 . 

5jA 

295i 

7 

Do. 

1886. 


28? i 

7 

Do. 

1887 (fn TVTarfili 1)_______... 

7 

48f 

, 7 

Do. 






Statement of the chemical division of tbe United States Patent Office, showing the 
methods adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the 
receipt of the matter by the Department, or by any of the agents of the Departrnent, 
and giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business 
matters through the various divisions of the office and the various bureaus and di¬ 
visions of such bureaus, and employes through whose hands the same passes, and by 
whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each^ 
until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party 

Chemical division, No. 6, is devoted to the examination of applications for letters 
patent regarding the consideration of inventions more or less dependent on the prog¬ 
ress of chemistry as an industrial art. 

On the reception of such applications the assignment of them to the several assist¬ 
ants is made daily by the examiner. The order of examination is twofold : 

First, upon the form (of the papers submitted). 

Second, upon the merits (of the invention as claimed). 

Examinations upon the form always precede the consideration of the description ot 
tbe invention and the claims thereon. 

The office book prepared for the purpose, entitled Rules of Practice, is the guide 
in the first part of this examination, and the first letters forwarded to the applicant 
are devoted, in great part, to the primary necessity of clearing away obscurities, so 
as to present the nature of the invention in a clear and intelligible form, and should 
contain such description of the invention claimed as will clearly set forth, after the 
relation of the invention itself, such minute information as will develop two i)oint8 
in the history of the claim : 

First, proof of its novelty. 

Second, proof of its utility. 

Upon the establishment of which depends the obtaining of a patent. 

As the office is not limited in the granting of patents to inhabitants of this country, 
applications are accepted from and patents granted to the civilized world, and there¬ 
fore the examination of all applications before this office involves not only (upon the 
examiners) an acquaintance with the nature and progress of industry in various for¬ 
eign countries, but also a consequent acquaintance with the language of science in 
foreign countries, and demands corresponding literary education from the examiners 
in this division of the Bureau. 

There are not less than half a dozen patent offices in Europe in relation with the 
library of this office, the reports from which it becomes necessary for the assistant 
^jXaminer to search through and ascertain what new inventions have been discovered 
jj^nd adopted there ; and it may be stated that many of our most useful and valuable 
‘ nventions (in a pecuniary point of view) have been derived from abroad. 

The class of assistants required for this especial branch of inventions claimed de¬ 
mands the possession of a knowledge of European languages, as well as of the progress 
of modern science, which the salaries offered do not tempt the possessors to accept, 
and consequently the Department finds it difficult to obtain a class of officers of tbe 
highest merit suitable for this office. 

With regard to the work itself presented, very many of the applications made in 
this division are not capable of illustration by drawings, and this fact shows the 
necessity of the examiner’s bestowing more time and labor on the consideration of 
the references drawn from printed descriptions, which involves the consumption of 
much more time in each case than is bestowed in many other divisions, where draw¬ 
ings are more frequently called for and supplied, and hence it happens that the time 
occupied with the consideration of one case of this character may of necessity involve 
twice or thrice the time occupied with a well-illustrated case in another division. 
This should be taken into consideration in contrasting the work done in one division 
when compared with another. 

It may, perhaps, now have been made sufficiently apparent the extent over which 
examination stretches to determine what is absolutely new, and some idea formed of 
the time required for correctly carrying out this. But, generally speaking, this time 
is not allowed by the present mode of conducting examinations, and when returns are 




















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


291 


called for to show tlie state of various rooms this consideratiou of time is not taken 
into account; certain rooms are said to work slowly, and complaint of this slow work 
is made by applicants, and thus the interests of the patent act, requiring the exami¬ 
nations, are rendered nugatory by the persistent pressure made, whose results lead to 
the more or less practical abolition of thorough examination by the examiner, and 
thus in many of the worthiest patents a germ of litigation is deposited when the patent 
comes out, and the consequent result of this haste by which examiners are pressed to 
push forward the examination of applications is to make the examinations more slight 
and cover less ground. This haste has the general effect to depreciate the character of 
the office work and lessen the value of patents very considerably. 

It is to be regretted that any work of the Government should be carried out the 
effect of which will be to increase the actual amount turned out at the expense of 
careful consideration and exact knowledge, having for their object the improvement 
of the useful arts. 

The development of art and manufactures has wonderfully enlarged, and the de- 
' maud of the civilized world correspondingly increased. 

Invention has been stimulated and educated minds of the world have amicably 
' united, and the result of all this is to throw upon the examiner such a flood of mate¬ 
rial for examination that he feels always of late under a strain in his eff’orts to cor¬ 
rectly estimate the value of the evideucofor and against the claims presented—the 
value of the claims depending on the examination bestowed upon them both before 
and after correction. The number of cases allowed by the examiner nor the short¬ 
ness of the time embraced in examination is no test of the efficiency of such examiner, 
nor is it any proof of the value of the efforts of the office to foster invention .and de- 
I' velop the useful arts. In contrasting the time and labor called for in the examination 
of patent applications with that of many other actions made in the offices of Govern¬ 
ment, it should always be remembered that much of the merit of the invention claimed 
depends on the amount of novelty shown, and that this novelty is developed by the 
li examination; that the examination is more searching in this office than in those of 
other countries, the chief functions of which are offices of registry and not dependent 
upon the development of the arts, and at times efforts are made by interested parties 
in this country to break down the principle of examination upon the merits, and re¬ 
duce the Patent Bureau into a simple recording office. 


HARVESTER (SEVENTH) DIVISION. 


Beport of the harvester (seventh) division of the Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 13, 1«87. 

The following statement shows the principal items of business transacted in the 
harvester division of the Patent Office, Departmeut of the Interior : 

The business of this division consists exclusively in the examination of applications 
for patents for the following inventions: 


1. Bean harvesters. 

Binders— 

35. Compressors, 

36. Grain-adjusters, 

37. Sheaf-carriers. 

2. Clover-harvesters. 

3. Combined rakes and tedders. 
Corn-harvesters— 

38. Binders and droppers, 

39. Cutters, 

40. Implements, 

41. Strippers and buskers. 

5. Corn-shockers. 

6 . Cotton-harvesters. 

Cuttiu^ apparatus— 

42. Endless, 

43. Guard-tingers and finger- 

bars, 

44. Reciprocating, 

45. Rotary, 

46. Vibrating. 

Droppers— 

47. Direct-tilting, 

49. Miscellaneous, 

48. Opening and closing, 

.50. Side-delivery, 

51. Swinging and tilting. 

99. Fruit-gatherers. 

9. Gearing. 

10. Grain-bands. 

31. Grain wheels and casters. 
Hand-binders— 

52. Attachments, 

53. Elevated delivery, rear, 


Glass oQ. — Harvesters, (vii.) 

Hand-binders— 

54. Elevated delivery, side, 

55. Flat delivery, 

.56. Manual traction. 

12. Hand rakers. 

13. Hay-caps. 

Hay-loaders— 

61*. Endless-belts, 

62. Intermittent, 

63. Lifting-reels, 

64. Walkihg-rakes. 

100. Headers. 

16. Hedge-trimmers. 

17. Hemp and flax harv'csters. 
Horse-rakes— 

65. Draft-dumpers, 

66. Drags, 

67. Hand-dumpers, 

68. Hay-cockers, 

69. Rake-teeth. 

19. Lawn-mowers. 

20. Manure-forks. 

33. Miscellaneous. 

Mowers— 

70. Anomalies, 

72. Center-cut, 

73. Front-cut, one-wheel, 

74. Front-cut, two-wheels, 

76. Rear-cut, one-wheel. 

77. Rear-cut, two-wheels, 

75. Reciprocatiug-gear, 

78. Thnist-cut. 

32. Platform adjustments. 

22. Reels. 


Revolving rakes— 

80. FI op-over, 

81. Wheel. 

27. Scythes and cradles. 

24. Seats. 

Self-binders— 

82. Clips and prepared bands, 

83. Cord-knotters, 

84. General structure, 

85. Gleaners and binders, 

86. Tension and take-up de¬ 

vices, 

87. Twisters and tuckers, 

88. Wire-twisters, 

Self-rakers— 

89. Endless-carriers, 

90. Gaveling-tongs, 

91. Platform movement, 

92. Reciprocating horizontal 

curvilinear, 

93. Reciprocating horiz o n t a 1 

rectilinear, 

96. Rotary horizontal axis, 

94. Rot ary vertical axis, 

.switch, 

95. Rotary vertical axis, no 

switch, 

98. Traveling horizontal irreg¬ 
ular path, 

97. Traveling vertical irregular 

path. 

28. Tedders. 

29. Thrashers, 

30. Track-clearers and dividers. 






292 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Statemeut sbowiug in detail the methods of trausactin<y hnsiness in the harvester di¬ 
vision of tlio Patent Office in the Department of the Interior, includin'^ one or 
more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning 
with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and theji showing in consecu¬ 
tive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters through 
the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employees through whose hands the 
same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon 
had and taken by each, until the same is tinally disposed of, and notice thereof 
duly giv.en to the proper party. 

The business of all the examiners' divisions is alike. It consists exclusively in ex¬ 
amining applications belonging to the classes in the respective divisions, and such 
duties as are incidental thereto. 

Applications are received each day from the application division. They are first in¬ 
spected by the examiner to determine whether the apiilication clerk has properly as¬ 
signed them. If not, they are returned to him. If properly belonging to the divis¬ 
ion, they are assigned to the proper sub-class, recorded in the “examiner’s register,” 
and pigeon-holed in the order of their tiling, to be taken up in that order for action. 

The work of the division is usually divided up among the assistant examiners, cer¬ 
tain sub-classes being assigned to each. Every action made is approved and directed 
by the primary examiner and is his action. An assistant’s first dutj^ in examining a 
case is to determine whether or not it is in all respects in proper form. If tho formal 
objections arc not vital, and the condition of the case will permit of an examination 
upon the merits, the assistant proceeds therewith, lirst studying carefully the inven¬ 
tion claimed, then searching among the foreign and domestic jiatents, publications, 
&c., for anticipations thereof. The result of this step in the examination is submit¬ 
ted to tho iirimary examiner at an oral interview. 

He determines the jn-opriety of the objections to form discovered, and the suffi¬ 
ciency under tho law of the references found, and, in accordance with his directions, 
the assistant writes a letter stating tho formal defects and citing the references to 
show the state of the art. This letter is signed by tho primary examiner (and usu¬ 
ally by the assistant, too), press-copied in a book kept for that purpose, and put in 
the file wrapper of the application, and is thenceforth a part of the record. A copy 
is sent to the applicant in care of his attorney, if he have one. The action is then 
noted on the “examiner’s register,” and the case pigeon-holed to await the respon¬ 
sive action of the aiiplicaut, which must be taken within two years, or the applica¬ 
tion is abandoned under the law. The case is then not reported on the report of 
work on hand, because it is not a case “ awaiting action ” by the office. If it be¬ 
comes abandoned this fact is noted on the “register ” and the file and drawiu<»- sent 
to the division having custody of such cases. If action is taken, however, within 
the statutory period, it is again included in the work report, and comes up lor recon¬ 
sideration, ill view of its altered condition, in regular order as before. If in its 
amended condition the form is acceptable and its substance allowable under the law 
the examiner signs his name on the face of tho file-wrapper and forwards it to the 
issue and gazette division. If not yet in proper form, however, a letter is writ¬ 
ten as before repeating the requirements made in the first office letter in regard 
thereto without any treatment upon the merits. From this decision appeal may be 
taken to the Commissioner in person. If form is acceptable, but substance not allow¬ 
able, a letter is written formally rejecting such claims as are mot, and stating that such 
and such will bo ultimately allowed. From a decision rejecting a claim a second 
time upon the same references, appeal lies to tho Board of Examiners-in-Chief. In 
case appeal is taken upon matter of form or substance it is submitted to the examiner 
for an answer or statement of the references and grounds for his action. The process 
above outlined is repeated until the claims of the application are in the judgment of 
the examiner allowable under the law, or he is re<iuire(l to pass the case by boing 
overruled by the board or tho Commissioner, and it often extends over a period of 
some years. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specified below in the harvester division of the Patent Office, Department of 
the Interior: 






























tllE DEPAUTMENT of TliE INtERiOii. 


293 


The following- statement shows the average amount and character of business per- 
lortued, transacted, and disposed ot during tbe periods specified, by the employes in 
the harvester division ot the Patent Oliice, Department of the Interior: 


Year. 

Jau. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

70 

172 

183 

292 

81 

146 

135 

270 

114 

25G 

232 

95 

239 

199 

88' 

185 

184 

84 

185 

230 

113 

244 

252 

85 

>67 

230 

97 

211 

230 

100 

172 

801 

88 

191 

245 

143 

153 

293 

1885,. 

1886 . 

1887. 













The following statement shows the average number of employes in the harvesters 
division of the Patent Oflice, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



Ihis table gives the average number of employes on the rolls of the division for the 
months specified. It includes all the employes, examiners, clerks, &c., and no ac¬ 
count has been taken of absences. 


The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amoi nt of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the 
least during the periods specified, in the harvester division of the Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 

employe doing the most—maximum. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Aj)r. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1884. 



16 

37 

29 

31 

37 

24 

25 

31 

22 

60 

1885. 

43 

36 

77 

64 

63 

69 

68 

53 

66 

55 

1886. 

53 

31 

88 

73 

80 

40 

70 

65 

59 

67 

75 

50 

1887 (to March 1). 

51 

52 













employe doing the least—minimum. 


1884 . 

1885 .. 

1886 . 

1887 (to Marr.li 1) ___ 

8 

6 

32 

11 

9 

27 

2 

22 

34 

38 

5 

15 

20 

5 

2 

32 

5 

34 

24 

17 

34 

34 

10 

8 

36 

5 

10 

30 

1 

15 

32 

2 

10 

28 

13 

12 

28 












I find no records from which this statement can be carried back of March, 1884. 
The rules of the office did not require and in the general course of business none ap¬ 
pears to have been kept. 

Tbe following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the enqiloyes in the harvester division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior : / 


Year. 

Number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
of days 
present. 

Average 
num her 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 



279.1 

7 

0 

1885. . . 

259. 4 

7 

0 


5.9 

271.7 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

7 

47.1 

7 

- 0 

































































































































294 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The followiug statement shows the maximum iiuoiber of days devoted to hiistiiess 
hy the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of daj^s devoted to business by the emx)loy6 present for the least number of days 
in the harvester division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

290 

279 

290 

76 

Minimum number of days. 

267 

218 

281 

75 


EIGHTH DIVISION. 

Report of the eighth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested bn Senate Select Committee and called for bn Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specified below, in the eighth division of the Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Cliaracter of business. 

Cj 

fcxSo 

2 ^ 

Q 

O 

Ph 

f— ^ 

52 

> 

T. 

<D 

K 

; 1 

1 Di.«iposed of in 
1884. 

d 

Ci 

ifi 

c — 

a 

4 

r— CO 

52 

^ Q 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

g 

to 

g r-i 

a 

pH 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

a 

•rH 

cw 

O 

O 

O TO 
ct 00 

c 

00 

p 

Examination of applications... 

387 

3, 534 

3, 274 

647 

6, 813 

7, 277 

183 

6, 026 

6, 046 


The figures relate to old and new cases. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business jier- 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes in 
the eighth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Year. 

Jan. 

Eeb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Examination of ap¬ 
plications . 

Do.. 

Do. 

Do. 

1884 

1885 

1886 
1887 

50 

58 

106 

94 

41 

50 

101 

84 

41 

128 

114 

34 

117 

94 

43 

116 

72 

39 

110 

69 

39 

99 

66 

35 

84 

78 

32 

103 

59 

35 

108 

76 

27 

105 

77 

40 

88 

105 













This statement refers to examiners only. Fi gures represent the average of each 
assistant examiner. 

The following statement shows the average number of employ6s in the eighth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



Includes all employes. 

































































































295 


Tin-: DEPARTMENT OF THE 


interior. 


'1 in-r)!l()\\ iiio-Btatenioiit shows the maximiiiri and ininiiuniii auioimt of business 
t l•;lll^a^•tl!d and disposed of by the einjjloyd doing-the most and the employe doing 
tlic h‘a^t (luring the i)oriods specified, in the eighth division of the Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of tlie Interior; 


Examination of applications. Employ6 doing the most. Maximum. 



Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept* 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885. 

114 

75 

164 

234 

292 

239 

252 

166 

181 

170 

154 

149 

1886. 

166 

146 

155 

142 

133 

115 

107 

105 

100 

137 

142 

174 

1887 (to March 1). 

161 

118 













[Examination of applications. Employ^ doing the least. Minimum.] 


1885.,. 

32 

31 

72 

40 

43 

81 

71 

28 

23 

39 

91 

42 

1886.. 

89 

99 

99 

87 

39 

45 

58 

71 

45 

44 

66 

45 

1887 (to March 1).. 

32 

37 













No record prior to January, 1885. Figures relate to actions in old and new cases. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employiSs in the eighth division of the Patent Office, Department of 
the Interior; 


Year. 

Number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
ofdays 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 

1884 . 

6 

266 

7 

None. 

1885 - . 

6 

262 

7 

None. 


6 

271 

7 

None. 

1887 (1^*1 Mnrp.li 1)__............. 

6 

47 

7 

None. 





Includes examiners and clerks. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days, 
in the eighth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887(to 
March 1). 

Character of business. 

Maximum number of days.... 

273 

274 

285 

48 

Examination of applications. 


Minimum number of days. 

236 

245 

267 

45 

Do. 



NINTH DIVISION. 


liepori of the mnth division, Patent Office, on the methods of business and work, as re¬ 
quested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 23, 
1887. • 

The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during each month of 
the years named : 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jau. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885. 

198 

155 

224 

242 

142 

135 

124 

140 

97 

161 

116 

94 

1886. 

125 

168 

96 

140 

115 

130 

143 

140 

129 

156 

111 

140 

107 


128 
























MINIMUM. 


1885. 

63 

53 

61 

89 

67 

77 

12 

38 

48 

6 

32 

19 

1886 . 

58 

61 

57 

64 

48 

53 

79 

7-2 

57 

58 

63 

46 

42 


65 











lOOl iudl di If 


• 











No data for 1884. 






















































































































296 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The principal causes of variation of tlie actions made are threefold, to wit: Differ¬ 
ences in difficulty in cases handled, absences, and experience as sicilled experts. This 
latter caiffee probably is more telling than the other two combined. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named ; also the number of days devoted to business by the emjiloyd present for the 
greatest number of days and employ^ present for the least number of days during the 
following years: 


Year.* 

Average No. 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884. 

279| 

7 

307 

256 

1885. 

277X 

7 

306 

253 

1886. 

282i 

m 

7 

307 

• 256 

1887 (to March 1). 

7 

48 

4? 





* Standard, 307 working days. 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the class of hydraulics, 
division 9 of United States Patent Office, for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and IB'S?, 
(to March 1): 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov, 

Dec. 

1885. 

104f 

75f 

94^ 

113f 

82i 

8if 

84^ 

80 f 

64 f 
6-5§ 

623 

711 

00 

58^ 

1886. 

78| 

66f 

86f 

7i:4 

935 

965 

85g 

715 

655 

1887 (to March 1). 


73i 







• 












The principal examiner, Mr. Brown, was on duty in the interference department 
as acting examiner of interference from the middle of August, 1886, to the first of 
January, 1887, during which time an assistant examiner was necessarily in charge of 
the class, which accordingly diminished the quantity of work done during this time, 
and correspondingly reduced the force. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes during each 
mouth of the following years : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

8 

81 


8 

8A 

8 

81 

9 

81 

9 

9 

11 

1885. 

12 

105 

10 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

lot 

11 

11 

1886. 

11 

11 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

91 

91 

10 

95 

1887 (to March 1). 

9 

91 

























Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the ninth division 

of the Patent Office. 

The classification and examination of applications for patents and caveats filed in 
the classes of aeration and bottling, baths and closets, fire-engines, hydraulic motors 
hydraulic motors for elevators, hydraulic motors for presses, hydraulic motors for 
jacks, pumps, and water distribution, answering appeals to the board of examiners- 
in-chief, declaration of interferences, reports to the Commissioner and to committees. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in division 9, class of hydraulics, in U. S. Patent 
Office: 


Character of business. 

New cases pending 
Jan. 1, 1884. 

New cases received 
during 1884. 

New and old cases 
disposed of in 
1884. 

1 New cases pending 

j Jan. 1, 1885. 

New cases received 
during 1885. 

New and old cases 
d i s p 0 s e d of in 
1885. 

New cases pending 
Jan. 1, 1886. 

New cases received 
duiing 1886. 

New and old cases 
disposed of in 
1886. 

New cases pending 1 
Jan. 1, 1887. j 

New ca.se8 received 
in 1887 to Mar. 1. 

1 

New and old cases 
disposed of in 
1887 to Mar. 1. 

Treatment of applications 













lor patents . 

420 

1,866 

4,937 

403 

1,791 

6,748 

66 

1,684 

5,804 

70 

285 

956 































































































the DEMRTMENT op the INTERtOR. 2l)? ' 

The clifitereiice between the amount received and disposed of is accounted for by 
amended cases received during the year. 

The entire force worked many extra hours with a view of decreasing ?lrrearage 
during this year. 


TENTH DIVISION. 

Report of the tenth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the tenth division of the 
Patent Office for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 (to March 1) : 

• • 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1 ). 

459 

700 

559 

491 

511 

405 

565 

383 

559 

606 

682 

561 

658 

613 

536 

763 

563 

487 

736 

650 

.575 

594 

443 

371 

604 

591 

454 

618 

603 

505 

531 

408 

276 

529 

500 

357 

540 

458 













The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the yeais named: 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J line. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

5 . 7 

5 . 9 

5 . 9 

5.7 

5.7 

5.1 

5.9 

5.4 

5 . 6 

5.7 

4.2 

4.3 

1885 . 

5.9 

5.1 

5.9 

6.7 

6.9 

6.8 

6 . 

6 . 

e . 5 

5.4 

5.3 

6.4 

1886 . 

6 . 9 

6 . 8 

6 . 9 

6.2 

6.7 

6.9 

5.7 

5.8 

5.8 

6.7 

6.8 

6.7 

1887 (tn 1)_ 

6.8 

5.6 
















The time of each examiner, for the year, is taken from the weekly time reports. 
The average is obtained by dividing the total number of days employed by the 
number of examiners. 

The clerical force is not included in the first table of this sheet, but is included in 
the second. 


The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during each month of 
the following years: 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 












138 

1885 . 

166 

130 

147 

194 

200 

214 

162 

170 

183 

153 

202 

170 

1886. 

182 

163 

184 

175 

138 

235 

142 

212 

178 

123 

143 

130 


127 

118 





















MINIMUM. 


188i 











-^ 

40' 

1885. 

154 

32 

58 

74 

77 

73 

27 

89 

91 

98 

50 

73 

1886. 

85 

99 

85 

127 

121 

107 

107 

113 

84 

92 

45 

68 

71 

1fiQ7 /fri 

14 























No personal work report was required prior to December, 1884. 

These figures represent new applications for patents, caveats, cases returned to the 
office for reconsideration, accompanied either by amendment, argument, correction, 
or request for reconsideration. 

Declarations of interferences, renewed cases, reissues, and appeals are also included. 
The clerical force is not included in this sheet. 










































































































298 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE tNTERlOR. 


The followiii*; statement shows the averai^e unniber of days and the time and at¬ 
tention (Jevoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employ6 i)reseQt for the 
greater number of days and employd present for the least number of days : 


Year. 

Average No. 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 

Maxiimiin 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884 .. 

278 

7 

In person. 

290 

231 

1835 . 

289 

7 

....do . 

295 

282 

1886 .. 

288 

7 

_do. 

294 

281 

1877 (to March 1). 

45 

7 

_do. 

52 

32 




The time devoted to business by each employd (including clerical force) is taken 
from the weekly time reports ; and the total number of days employed divided by the 
number of employds, to obtain the average. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the tenth division 

of the Patent Office. 

Examination of applications for patents. 

Examination of caveats. 

Reconsideration of rejected applications, if amended or returned, and a patent 
demanded. 

Preparation of a statement in case the inventor appeals from the decision of the 
examiner to the examiners-in-chief, or to the Commissioner in person. 

In case applications conflict and claim the same subject-matter, the examiner insti¬ 
tutes interference proceedings. 

Motions to dissolve an interference are heard by the primary examiner. 

The assistant examiners search for references and evidence as to patentability, and 
present the case to the principal examiner, with the evidence collected; anti from 
the decision arrived at an action is made, and the inventor is informed by the Com¬ 
missioner. 

The lady clerk of the division enters each day in the register the applications 
received, after it is ascertained to which division they properly belong. She records 
all actions of the office in the register (the office action and the inventor’s are recorded 
upon the back of the file), makes all proper amendments or changes in the case, 
directed by the inventor; copies all office letters and prepares them for mail; copies 
all statements, decisions, reports, &c., stamps and properly numbers file and draw¬ 
ing, and all papers, and records the patents, each week, in their proper column in the 
register. She keeps account of all cases called up or sent out of th 3 room , and receives 
and disposes of them on their return. 

She also makes up the daily, weekly, and monthly reports of time and work to the 
Commissioner. 

Statement of the tenth division of the Patent Office, showing the methods adopted in 
transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipt of the matter 
by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and giving, in con¬ 
secutive order, the various stops taken by each of such business matters through the 
various divisions of the office and the various Bureaus, and divisions of such 
Bureaus, and employds through whose hands the san e passes, and by whom it is 
considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the 
same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Applications for letters patent and caveats, as they are received each day from the 
application division, are inspected to ascertain to which division they properly be¬ 
long, and are then recorded in the register by the lady clerk, who places the serial 
number and book number upon the drawing and papers. The case is then ready for 
examination and is taken up in the order of its date of filing and examined as to 
novelty, utility, clearness of description and illustration, formality of petition, oath, 
signatures, &c., and the inventor or his attorney is informed of the office decision. 
The case, if rejected, then awaits the inventor’s action. If allowed for grant of pat¬ 
ent the case receives the signature of the examiner in charge, and is sent lo the issue 
division, where it is prepared (on payment of the final fee) for the printer and photo¬ 
lithographer. 

When the inventor amends, or requests a reconsideration, the case is again taken 
up, the amendment or argument considered, and a decision rendered, as before. 


























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


299 


III case the inventor ajipeals to the hoard of examiners-in-chief or to the Commis¬ 
sioner, the examiner prepares a statement (in reply to the “reasons of appeal”) to 
accompany the case. 

When two or more pending cases or pending case with nnexpired x>^itent8 have 
conllicting claims, the examiner forwards to the examiner of interferences notice of 
interference (together with the hies and drawings) for all the parties ; and if the issue 
has been well dehned and the notices are correct, the interference is declared, jiro 
forma by forwarding the notices to the several parties. 

After the decision of the examiner of interferences (upon evidence submitted or 
upon the record) as to which party is the prior inventor, the cases are returned to 
the primary examiner, and further action taken in accordance with such decision. 

Motions to dissolve an interference are heard and decided by the primary examiner. 

Applications for reissue of letters patent are considered by the xiriinary examiner, 
and are also subject to appeal, interference, correction, or amendment. 

Cases renewed after forfeiture for non-payment of the hnal fee, are entered and ex¬ 
amined with the new cases. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, i>ending, and undisposed of at 
the dates 8x>ecified below, in the tenth division of the Patent Office, Department of the 
Interior: 


Character of huaiiiess. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

cS 

'-So 

bf* 
2} CO 

a 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

-P 

D 

Ah 

Received in 

Jan.andEeb., 

1887. 

Disposed of in 

Jan.andEeb., 

1887. 

Examination of applications 
for patents.. 

141 

5, 823 

5, 631 

333 

7, 200 

7, 282 

251 

6, .569 

6,635 

185 

936 

874 



These figures rejiresent new applications for patents, caveats, cases returned to the 
office for reconsideration accompanied either by amendment, argument, correction or 
reijnest for reconsideration. 

Declarations of interference, renewed cases, reissues, and ajiiieals are also included. 


ELEVENTH DIVISION. 

« 

Report of the eleventh division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and 

work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 

March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the priucixial items of business transacted in the eleventh division 
of the United States Patent Office, Dexiartment of the Interior. 

This division receives all applications for patents jiroperly belonging to “leather 
working, machinery, and x>roducts,” which comprises 6 distinct classes, with 99 sub¬ 
classes. 

(1) The examining corps of this division are charged wdth the examination and ad¬ 
judication of all original applications for patents properly includedinthe above-named 
classification, and subject to appeal only on adverse rulings or actions. 

(2) With the examination and adjudication of reissue applications pertaining to 
this class, subject to like appeal. 

t3) The institution of interferences, when found necessary in connection with the 
treatment of original or reissue apxilications. 

(4) Preparing answers to appeals from the examiner’s action taken to the board of 
examiners-in-chief; also, furnishing statements in connection with interlocutory ap¬ 
peals taken to the Commissioner, and upon such other questions as may arise in the 
prosecution of applications before the office. Such, in brief, comprises in general out¬ 
line the items of business transacted in this division, which, however, does not iden¬ 
tify a class of intermediate actions of a varied character which cannot be specifically 
included in such general statement. 


























300 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting hnsiness in the eleventh di\ i- 
siou of tlie Uuited States Patent Ofticc, in the Department ot the Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said divisnm, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the United States Patent Otiicc, 
and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by eacb of such prin¬ 
cipal business matters through the appro])riate divisions ot said office, and the em¬ 
ployes through whose hands the same pass; s, and by w’hom it is considered and 
acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally 
disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Applications for patents daily received from the application division, properly jack¬ 
eted and briefed, and each provided with its serial number, are immediately examined 
to determine if correctly located and provided wdth tbeir respective drawings, when 
they are placed in charge of the examiners clerk, wdio makes the appropriate record 
entry upon the division book, consisting of name of applicant, attorne.y, title of in¬ 
vention, date of application, serial number, &c. Such applications are then arranged 
in regular order for examination. The examination of an application primarily in¬ 
volves all matters of form relating to the general preparation ot the case, that it may 
be brought into harmony wdth office rules and requirements, and if no vital defects 
are found, such scrutiny is followed by an examination upon the general merits of the 
case; the extent and nature of such examination depending largely upon the char¬ 
acter of subject-matter embraced in the ap;)licatiou, always, however, calling for 
careful consideration, and oftentimes necessitating extended research of both do¬ 
mestic and foreign patents, and reference to such printed publications as are liable to 
give information relative to the art to which the alleged invention appertains. A 
proper examination made, the result is communicated to the applicant by letter, giv¬ 
ing such references and oiher information as shall bo found necessary to a proper un¬ 
derstanding of the condition of his case. 

A copy of such letter is placed in the file for office reference. If in response to such 
action a proper amendment is furnished complying with office requirements, such 
amendment is incorporated and the case passed for issue, scut to the issue division 
of the office, and notice sent from such division to the applicant of the final disposi¬ 
tion of his case. If, how'cver, in response to such official action upon the merits of 
tbe case, the applicant shall refuse to amend and persist in maintaining his position, 
a second action is taken,and if upon further consideration the previous action is still 
regarded as pertinent and sufficient, the applicant is so advised, which action consti¬ 
tutes a second rejection, as provided by office rules, xifter such second rejection of a 
case u])ou its merits, further prosecution involves an appeal to the board of exam- 
iuers-in-chief. Upon the receipt of such appeal the examiner is required to submit to 
the board of examiners-iu-chief a written statement of his grounds of action, to¬ 
gether with such other information as may be found necessary to a proper under¬ 
standing of the matter in controversy. Upon the hearing of such appeal if the 
board of examiners-in-chief reverse the primary examiner’s decision, the case is re¬ 
turned to him and the case disposed of in accordance with their decision. If, how¬ 
ever, they sustain his action, applicant may appeal from their decision to the Com¬ 
missioner, which constitutes the limit of action within the organization of the office. 
'I he foregoing embraces the ordinary course of treatment only, which is oftentimes 
interrupted by interferences and other collateral issues which are liable to intervene. 
The actions thus enumerated identify briefly the work of the examining corps as ap¬ 
plied to the primary examination of an application for patent. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received* 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the eleventh division of the United States Patent 
Oflice, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1. 1884. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

0 

Cj 

^ • 

iO 

P r-. 

Oh 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1886. 

Received dur- | 

ing 1886. 1 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

P 

Cj 

.2^ 

.2^ 

— 

. 

r-< 

Disposed of in 
Jan. <Si Feb., 
1887. 

ce 

C 1-^ 

p^' 

Exarainin", recording, and 
amending anplicatious for 
patents and reissues of 
patents, examining ca¬ 
veats declaring interfer¬ 
ences, answering appeals, 
&c. 

130 

7, 478 

7, 405 

1)3 

6, 744 

6, 720 

137 

6, 608 

6, 596 

149 

1,028 

1,026 

151 
































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


301 


The followiu*; statement shows the amount and character of bnsiuess performed, 
transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in the elev¬ 
enth division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J uly- 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

657. 

712 

785 

772 

813 

589 

697 

546 

441 

454 

462 

567 

1885. 

687 

523 

511 

675 

614 

663 

580 

470 

565 

515 

519 

502 

188 r*. 

498 

574 

721 

622 

567 

565 

547 

460 

472 

513 

498 

544 


1887. 

544 

482 























The following statement shows the average number of employes in the eleventh 
division of the United States Patent Oftice, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1884_ _ 

61 

6 

6 

6 

6 

61 

7 

8 

7 

6 

6 

1885. 

, 

e’ 

6 

7 

71 

7 ^ 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1) ..._ 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 














Four employds belong to the examiniug corps and were constantly engaged in ex¬ 
amining applications for patents, &c. The remainder of the employds of the divis¬ 
ion were engaged on clerical work, such as keeping the records, entering amend¬ 
ments, copying decisions,Tetters, &c. 

The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing 
the least during the periods specified, in the eleventh division of the United States 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 

employe doing the most—maximum. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1 884* 













1885. 

250 

215 

206 

314 

175 

217 

244 

159 

204 

285 

233 

222 

1886. 

164 

152 

193 

184 

151 

161 

192 

191 

193 

165 

149 

173 

1ft«7 /fnATorph 

189 

158 
























employe doing the least—minimum. 


1884* 













1885... 

87 

72 

62 

71 

115 

135 

85 

102 

94 

4 

35 

52 

1886. 

56 

125 

155 

130 

128 

89 

90 

126 

21 

82 

105 

100 


103 

68 























* No report. 


The small minimum amount of work in several of the months in above statement 
IS charo-eable to leave of absence of some one employd for the whole or part of a 
month.” In the year 1884 no account was kept of iudividal work, for the reason that 
the office rules did not require such report until January 1, IsSS. The above state¬ 
ments relate wholly to the work of four omployds who are examiners. There is no 
practical method of keeping an account or making a tabulated report of the miscel¬ 
laneous work'done by the clerks in an examiner’s division. 

The number of cases disposed of is by no means an index of the amount of work 
])erformed. Some cases retjuire but a few hours labor, while others require days and 
even weeks in treatment. 





















































































































302 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the number of days and the time and attention de¬ 
voted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods specified, 
by the employes in the eleventh division of the United States Patent Office, Depart- 
nienl of the Interior: 


Year. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of (lays 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by proxy. 

1884. 


26.8f 

7 

In person. 
Do. 

1885. 

7 

262f 

7 

1886. 

7 

268# 

7 

Do. 

1887 (to March 1).... 

7 


7 

Do. 






This statement omits Sundays and holidays, and relates to actual working days, 
it includes all the employes in the division, both examiners and clerks. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the eleventh division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar.l). 

Maximum number of day.s._____ 

.286 

277 

296i 

2(!S^ 

48 

3i 

Minimum number of day's....... 

193 

229 





TWELFTH DIVISION. 


Jieport of the iivelfth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the division of hoisting, &c.. No. XII, in the Pat¬ 
ent Office: 


Character of business. 

fl 

cS 

2 

<D 

Keceived dur- j 

ing 1884. 

1 

Disposed o f I 
in 1884. 1 

a 

cS 

wgg 

2 ^ 

S 

pin 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed o f 
in 1885. 

d 

s ^ 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

P 

O .-1 

<0 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

a 

1- 

V 

Cm 

New cases. 

139 

2, 076 

2,156 

59 

1,774 

1,778 

55 

1, 568 

1.413 

210 

252 

.321 

141 

Old cases. 

27 

3, 992 

4, 003 

16 

3, 479 

3, 479 

16 

3, 371 

3, 362 

25 

608 

599 

34 

Caveats. . 


151 

151 

■ - “ * 

153 

153 

.... 

117 

. 

.... 

26 

26 



The following statement shows in detail the business in the I2th division of the 
office of Patents, for the years 1881,1885,1886, and 1887 (to March 1). 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

691 

500 

371 

544 

509 

412 

316 

511 

630 

524 

290 

572 

556 

297 

630 

410 

234 

659 

458 

487 

578 

366 

609 

590 

460 

544 

428 

464 

547 

244 

434 

480 

334 

393 

265 

447 

433 

432 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 













The preceding table indicates the number of applications (including new and old 
or amended cases and also caveats) acted upon during the months si)ecified. 





























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


303 


The following statement sLows the average nnniber of einploj'cs during each month 
of the years named: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

4 

1885. 

4 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

1886. 

5 

6 

6 

7 

7 

7 

8 

8 

9 

9 

9 

9 

1887 (to March 1). 

9 

9 

























The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing the most and the eraployd doing the least during each month of 
the years named: 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885. 

142 

164 

119 

153 

196 

130 

91 

151 

125 

lOG 

116 

1.56 

ls86 . 

85 

9.3 

88 

80 

67 

96 

137 

121 

102 

90 

40 

115 

1887 (to March 1). 

104 

83 













MINIMUM. 


1885. 

96 

67 

3 

78 

1C9 

88 

45 

78 

22 

67 

45 

46 

1886 .. 

58 

4 

33 

39 

54 

70 

29 

9 

35 


1887 (to March 1). 

55 

60 















The institution of reports of the amount of business performed by each employd 
did not commence until the year 1885. Therefore no account can be given for the year 
1884. 

Tlie following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the 
greatest number of days and employd present for the least number of days : 


Year. 

Average 
number 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In per¬ 
son or by 
proxy. 

Maximum 
number 
of days. 

Minimum 
number 
of days. 

■-•- 

1884 . 

272 

6.9 


275 

268 

1 sa.'i . 

270.8 

6. 96 


272 

267 

1886 . 

261 

6. 64 


274 

272 

1(f n AT q I'nTi ... __ ....______ 

47.5 

*7.4 


48 

463 







* This average made by working extra hours. 


All the employds whose work is estimated in the preceding table were examiners. 
Down to March, 1886, there was also one clerk employed in this division. Since that 
time there have been two persons doing miscellaneous clerical work. The work per¬ 
formed by these clerks could not be computed, because of its varied character, in 
any of the tabulated statements. 






































































































304 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


THIKTEENTH DIVISION. 

lleport of the thirteenth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and ivork, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the division of metal working (No. 13), in the 
office of the Commissioner of Patents: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed o f 
in ]884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

. 1 

U 

lO 

.f^ bt) 

® 9 

U 

0; 

Disposed o f 

in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed o f 

in 1886. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Applications for patents 











for inventions, and ca- 











veats . 

319 

1,178 

3,170 

421 

1,095 

3,227 

91 

1,164 

2, 696 

105 


The figures in columns 1 and 2 refer to ax)plications, while the figures in column 3 refer 
to the number of “ official actions” on the applications ; and the apparent discrex)ancy 
between these two sets of figures is accounted for by the fact that when an apjjlica- 
tion has been ‘‘rejected” for any reason, it maybe amended, rejected again, and 
amended again—thus repeating and multiplying the “official actions” on a single 
application. 

Caveats are merely inspected and filed away. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the metal working (13) 
division of the office of Commissioner of Patents for the years 1884, 1885, 1885, and 
1887 (to March 1): 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

_ 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

18.84. 

300 

278 

307 

308 

302 

226 

225 

173 

167 

246 

243 

264 

1885. 

327 

281 

455 

402 

304 

287 

259 

203 

231 

305 

239 

179 

1886. 

198 

254 

266 

258 

219 

214 

218 

219 

242 

225 

222 

208 

1887 (to March 1). 

257 

204 
























The figures above noted refer to the number of official actions made on the appli¬ 
cations on hand, and not to the number of applications disposed of; for a given aj)- 
plication may be “ acted on ” repeatedly, but finally “disposed of” only once. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named: 



The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the emxdoyd doing the least during each nmnth 
of the years named : 

MAXIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1). 

85 

59 

61 

60 

70 

47 

106 

65 

81 

59 

56 

69 

50 

80 

61 

75 

76 

68 

71 

65 

82 

91 

69 

51 

46 

54 












MINIMUM. 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1). 

15 

15 

25 

8 

36 

19 

45 

30 

32 

45 

10 

20 

24 

17 

21 

38 

2 

46 

3 

28 

dC) 

2 

31 

24 

22 

4 










. 




















































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


305 


lu 1884 no record was kept in this division of the amount of work done hy the sev¬ 
eral employes individually, because the form of report called for by the Commissioner 
did not include such an item. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years named, 
and number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the greatest num¬ 
ber of days and employ^ present for the least number of days : 


Tear. 

Average 
No. of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person or by 
proxy. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884 . 

211 

7 

Tn poraon 

284 

*60J 

1885 . 

262 

7 

do _ 

276 

tl06 

1886 . 

268 

7 

* - d o - 

273 

t25 

1887 (to March 1). 

48.2 


_do_ 

52 

§41 







* Appointed in October, 18S4. 

t Transferred to another division in May, 1885. 

t Appointed November 31, 1886, and absent (sick) nearly all of December. 

§ Transferred to another division in February, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the metal working 
division of the United States Patent Office. 

(1) Examining applications for patents for inventions in the class of metal working 
and inspecting the caveats tiled in the same class, together with such other incidental 
work as: 

(2) Preparing tables for trial of interfering applications; 

(3) Preparing answers to cases appealed from this division; and 

(4) Answering petitions to the Commissioner relating to cases belonging to this 
division. 

Statement of the thirteenth division of the Patent Office showing the methods adopted 
in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipts of the 
matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and giving in 
consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business matters, through 
the various divisions of the office and the various bureaus, and divisions of such 
bureaus, and employes through whose hands the same passes and by whom it is 
considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each until the 
same is tinally disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Applications for patents are sent to this division daily from the “ application room,’’ 
and when received each application is handled in the following manner: The exam¬ 
iner in charge of the division personally inspects each application, to determine 
whether it properly belongs to his division ; and, if so, to what subclass in his divis¬ 
ion it should be assigned ; if it is thought not to belong to his division, it is returned to 
the application room” with that information ; if, however, it has been properly sent 
to him, the examiner indicates the particular subclass to which the application be¬ 
longs, and turns it over to the clerk. The clerk enters the application upon a regis¬ 
ter kept for that purpose; and after inspecting all the papers belonging to the case, 
gives each paper, together with the drawing, its proper book number, and then puts 
the application on the desk of the assistant examiner having supervision of that par¬ 
ticular subclass. The assistant examiner takes each application up for action in the 
order designated by the rules, and examines * it to see if it is patentable. If any ob¬ 
jections, either as to form or substance, occur to bar the issue of the patent, the assist¬ 
ant reports the same to the examiner in charge who reviews the work of the assist¬ 
ants, and if, in his opinion, the objections are tenable, the assistant is directed to 
write a letter to the applicant, setting forth fully all the objections to the case ; the 
letter is written by the assistant as directed, is read over and signed by the principal 
examiner, who turns the letter over to the clerk; and this constitutes and completes 
an “ action ” on the case. The clerk then copies the letter, sends the copy to the ap¬ 
plicant through the mail, letter-presses the original, gives it its proper number, and 
tiles it with the application to which it refers; the clerk further records the action in 

*An examination by an assistant involves an inspection of all the papers belonging to the application 
to see whether they are in pioper form ; a reading of the specification and drawing to get an accurate 
idea of the invention claimed, and an examination of the toreign and domestic patents in that class to 
see if this particular invention has been anticipated. 

4402 INT- 20 

























306 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


a book kept for that purpose, aud puts tbe application awaj to await further action 
on the part of the applicant, when the case may be called ui) aj^ain. 

If, however, no objections exist to the issuance of the patent, this fact is certified to 
the principal examiner, who then reviews the case with the assistant; and if he finds 
the work properly done, will direct that the case be prepared for issue, and this con¬ 
sists of writing a “ brief” to accompany the case ; the principal examiner then signs 
the application, thus indicating the completion of the work of the examiner, aud turns 
the application over to the clerk, who again inspects the papers, stamps the drawing, 
records the final action, and forwards the case to the “issue division.” 


FOURTEENTH DIVISION. 

Report of the fourteenth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and 
icorJc,as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March'Z'i, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the fourteenth divis¬ 
ion of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

Examination of applications for patents in the following classes: 

153. Metal bending. 

22. Metal founding. 

150. Packing and storing vessels. 

113. Sheet-metal ware, making. 

140. Wire working. 

The only work which has been recorded aud reported is the work of assistant ex¬ 
aminers. Hence the tables herein have been confined to these officers, and their work 
in order that the tables may be of some value. Notes and additional tables of each 
kind give the full statistics of the division whenever required. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the fourteenth di¬ 
vision of the Patent Office in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the Patent Office, and then showing in consecu¬ 
tive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters through 
the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose hands the 
same passes, and by whom it is considered aud acted upon, and the action thereon 
had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly 
given to the proper party. 

This division is concerned with the examination of applications for patent which 
are received from the application clerk, and if found to be patentable are sent from 
this division to the issue and gazette division. Of the course of an application before it 
reaches this division or after it is passed out of this division, this division knows 
nothing officially and cannot therefore presume to report upon such course. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, aud undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the fourteenth division of the Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 


New cases. 
Old cases .. 


•2 ^ 

© 

PS 


54 

15 


00 


rs 
© 

bc 
® a 
©•P; 
© 


1,728 

2,121 


© 00 
a: CO 

O 1-1 
p. 


1 , 682 
2,131 


Sfoo 

'5 - 

© 

PS 


100 

5 


S . 
'O lo 

©2 

t* 

© a 
© 


o 

xi in 

© OO 
X 00 

© iH 

P- 

00 


1,298 1,321 
1 , 956 il , 958 


p 

e« 

pS 

© 

PS 


77 

13 


fl . 

1© o 

rr- 00 
©2 

•s 

© p 
© 
pp 


1,410 
2 , 381 


© 00 
X 00 
O i—i 

P< 


1,452 
2 , 381 


38 

3 






















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


307 


T be following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specilied, by the emploj'^s in 
the fourteenth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patent. 

94| 

93 

120i 

111| 

87 

90 

90f 

57 

m 

50J 

79i 

74| 


1885. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patent. 

CO 

71i 

70i 

lOOi 

80 

IIH 

76§- 

00 

85i 

79i 

85J 

66f 

1886. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patents. 

102 

89 

114f 

125J 

121 

75i 

86 

124f 

93i 

82 

Gli 

9H 

1887. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patents. 

102| 

97^ 























These figures represent actions made by the assistant examiners under and as su¬ 
perintended, controlled, and personally directed by the iirincipal examiner in charge 
of the division. The work of clerks is also sw'allowed up in these figures. 

The following statement shows the average number of assistants in the fourteenth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



The assistant examiners are separately tabulated because their work only is classi¬ 
fiable and expressible in figures. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the fourteenth 
division of ihe Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci¬ 
fied : 



This is the same as the foregoing table, with the addition of the principal examiner, 
the examiner’s clerk, and generally an additional clerk. 





































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


508 

The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of examinations 
of applications for patents disposed of by the employd doing the most and the em- 
ployd doing the least during the periods specified, in the fourteenth division of the 
Patent Office, Dej^artment of the Interior: 

employ:^ doing the most—maximum. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (tn Marp.h 1)__ 

124 

123 

120 

114 

96 

92 

101 

90 

1.30 

104 

134 

116 

143 

146 

108 

97 

165 

102 

113 

132 

106 

1C6 

117 

53 

88 

172 

71 

130 

137 

77 

101 

134 

81 

104 

88 

99 

72 

133 












EMPLOY^ DOING THE LEAST-MINIMUM. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1). 

21 

28 

68 

90 

46 

32 

56 

84 

85 

17 

87 

73 

48 

87 

55 

55 

81 

62 

103 

79 

82 

80 

22 

33 

27 

96 

34 

47 

9 

8 

62 

22 

25 

62 

19 

22 

48 

57 












These figures represent actions by the assistant examiners in the form of letters ad¬ 
dressed to the applicant. 

The work of the principal examiner is to direct and control the action of each assist¬ 
ant examiner, to decide what that action (letter) shall be. It consequently is impos¬ 
sible to tabulate separately the work of a principal examiner. The same is true of all 
clerks. They record, copy, &c. ; no record is kept of their work. It may, however, 
be said that the examinees clerk has entered an amendment in an a|iplication every 
time an assistant examiner has made an action, and that the exarniner’s clerk and the 
additional clerk have either coj)ied or type-written a letter for every aetion by an 
assistant examiner. Therefore, in every month of the above table credit the examinees 
clerk with one amendment entered, and the examiner’s clerk and the other clerk each 
with, say, one-half of a letter copied. These amendments and copied letters, however, 
are but a part of the work of these clerks. The rest is unrecorded and unclassitiable 
and not expressible in figures. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the fourteenth division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Year. 

Number of 
assistant 
examiners. 

Average 
number of 
(lays pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em- 
ploved 
daily. 

N umber 
by proxy. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

1884 . 

3.5 

267 

7 

0 

6.5 

253 

7 

. 1885 . 

3.25 

274 

7 

0 

00-j- 

276 

7 

1886 . 

3.25 

279 

7 

0 

604- 

282 

7 

1887 (to Mar. 1). 

3 

47 

7 

0 

6 

47 

7 


Including a principal examiner, an examiner’s clerk, and an additional clerk. 

The low average number of days present for 1884 is duo to the fact that one clerk 
in this division, from January 1 to August 31, had during that time 31 days annual 
leave and 89 days sick leave. The average for the rest of the division for "that year 
leaving out that one clerk was 273 days. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to examina¬ 
tion of application, for patent by the employd present for the greatest number of days, 
and also the minimum number of days devoted to business by the employd present 
for the least number of days, in the fourteenth division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior, during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

’ 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1), 

Maximum number of days. 

285 

2 

276 

52 

281 

61 

47 

47 

Minimum number of days. 















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 309 

The employ^ i^resent during the least number of days in 1884 entered this division 
December 30. 

The employd present for the least number of days in 1885 was in this division from 
January 1 to March 10 only. 

The employd present for the least number of days in 1886 was in this division from 
SeiJtember 4 to November 24 only. 


FIFTEENTH DIVISION. 

Eeport of the fifteenth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. * 


The following statement shows in detail the action on applications in the fifteenth 
division of the ofiflce of Commissioner of Patents, for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 
1887 (to March 1) : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 


C 56 

56 

69 

65 

64 

66 

61 

51 

64 

53 

54 

43 

loo4 ... 

) 337 

337 

411 

392 

383 

398 

367 

3.55 

322 

266 

270 

213 


( 53 

53 

61 

61 

57 

54 

32 

32 

44 

17 

50 

55 

loOD 

> 265 

267 

366 

363 

342 

318 

192 

194 

262 

282 

249 

330 


5 58 

46 

56 

65 

63 

68 

70 

34 

53 

38 

46 

50 

Icoo. 

i 349 

274 

334 

326 

313 

342 

349 

172 

211 

228 

275 

300 

1887 (to Mfli cli 1) 

^ 65 

47 












( 392 

279 












The first line of figures opposite each year indicate the totals, the second are the averages. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

8 

6 

6 

6 

6 

1885 . 

6 

6 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

8 

8 

7 

9 

1886.. 

8 

8 

8 

7 

6 

7 

7 

7 

6 

8 

8 

8 


8 

Q 










XoOl ixldlCU •.••••••• 













The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the employ6 doing the least during each month 
of the years named : 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 












93 

1885. 

84 

6i 

98 

85 

50 

52 

50 

52 

81 

75 

91 

117 

1886. 

102 

71 

80 

63 

132 

143 

124 

82 

94 

78 

85 

84 

79 

78 
























MINIMUM. 














44 

1885. 

34 

43 

44 

48 

18 

3 

18 

3 

8 

5 

14 

38 

32 

1886. 

62 

A n 

41 

91 

15 

19 

1 

44 

47 

3 

28 

4 

13 












\LO jildtoil 1/ •••••••• 














Consisted of actions on applications. 


No report of personal work was required or made before December, 1884. 































































































310 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the 
greatest number of days and employd present for the least number of days: 


Tear. 

Average 
No. of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884. 

277 

7 

295 

274 

1885. 

265 

7 

274 

249 

1886. 

275 

7 

288 

253i 

.36^ 

1887 (to March 1)... 

46# 

7 

47| 





Statemeint showing the principal items of business transacted in the fifteenth division 

of the Patent Office. 


1. DUTIES OF EXAMINER. 

1. Preliminary examination and distribution of cases and papers filed therein. 

2. Hearing and deciding upon cases examined and reported for his action by as¬ 
sistants. 

3. Classifying patents and publications. 

4. Attending to oral arguments and interviews with applicants and attorneys con¬ 
cerning caaes pending before him. 

5. Determining as to the fact of interference between conflicting applications ; de¬ 
claring such interference; deciding the motions to dissolve such interference. 

6. Answering appeals. 

7. Reviewing and signing cases prepared for allowance 

8. Examining cases personally as time permits. 

9. General supervision of the work of the division. 

2. DUTIES OF ASSISTANTS. 

1. Examining cases as to form and noting all objections thereto. 

2. Making searches in the classified jjatents and other publications as to the nov¬ 
elty of the invention. 

3. Preparing the letter or the materials therefor announcing the results of the ex¬ 
amination. 

4. Reporting the same to the examiner. 

5. In the case of the first assistant, perform ing the duties of the examiner during 
his absence. 

3. DUTIES OF THE CLERK. 

1. Recording applications and caveats received and the actions made therein. 

2. Copying and recording letters from the examiner to the applicant and nrenarinff 

them for the mail. ® 

3. Recording and entering amendments and letters from applicants. 

4. Arranging and distributing files and drawings of applications; getting them out 
when needed and returning them ; stamping files and drawings: making lists of pat¬ 
ents, &c. 

5. Making out the daily, weekly, and monthly reports of the work performed and 
on hand and of the attendance of the employds of the division. 

Statement of the fifteenth division of the Patent Office, showing the methods adopted 
in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipt of the 
matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and givino" 
in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business matters 
through the various divisions ot the office and the various Bureaus and divisions of 
such Bureaus, and employds through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it 
is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each until 
the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

1. Fee and essential parts of complete application or caveat received by financial 
and application clerks. 

2. Completed case sent forward to examiner, with date of completion marked on 
the face ot the file. Case entered on examiner’s record and placed on the docket for ex¬ 
amination in the order to which its liling, date, or other circumstances entitle it under 
the rules. 















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


311 


3. When reached, cases carefully read hy assistant, examined as to all matters of 
form, notes made of all defects and objections. The search is then made to ascertain 
whether the invention claimed is anticipated by earlier inventions of which the office 
possesses records or knowledge, and in what particulars it is so anticipated. Assist¬ 
ant then submits the case to the examiner, and a letter is prepared embodying the re¬ 
sults of the examination; but if the case is correct in all particulars and the claims 
are found to be new it is prepared for allowance. 

4. The letter is copied, the copy mailed, the original retained in the file, the action 
recorded on the books, and the papers ijut away to await the response of the appli¬ 
cant to the letter. 

5. When applicant responds by amendment or letter the communication is incor¬ 
porated with the record by the clerk, further considered by the assistant, taking 
precedence over new cases, and, if all objections have been removed, the case is pre¬ 
pared for allowance. If the objections have not been removed, the applicant, after 
one repetition of the examiner’s action in matters of form, may petition the Commis¬ 
sioner to reverse the examiner’s action, or, after two refusals on the same ground to 
grant a patent, may appeal to the examinei's-in-chief to reverse the action of the ex¬ 
aminer. 

6. In case of either petition or appeal the examiner prepares a statement in writ¬ 
ing of the grounds of his final action in the case. If his action is overruled or reversed 
the case is proceeded with as if the objections overruled had not been urged. If 
affirmed, the examiner enforces compliance with the requirements. 

7. When all objections have been removed, in whatever way, the examiner causes 
the files to be searched to ascertain if any pending applications or caveats conflict 
with the case, and if so, notifies the caveator, or prepares letters notifying both ap¬ 
plicants or their attorneys of the nature and extent of the interference, and sends 
the cases forward to the examiner of interferences, who ascertains if the issue has 
been clearly defined, and notes upon the letters the date before which the preliminary 
statements of both applicants must be filed. From this time until the termination 
of the interference the case is in the hands of the examiner of interferences or his 
subordinates, except in case of suspension, motion to dissolve, or other special reason 
for which the cases are returned to the examiner for his determination of questions 
falling within his province. 

8. Upon the allowance of an application, the case is prepared for issue, the allow¬ 
ance recorded, and the papers sent forward to the issue division by which the appli¬ 
cant is informed of all the allowance of his case, and the date of allowance, and no¬ 
tified to pay the final fee within the following six months. If he does so within the 
required time the specification is printed, the drawing reproduced by photolithog¬ 
raphy, the patent prepared and mailed to him, and the issuance thereof, with a brief 
explanation of the invention, announced in the Official Gazette of the date of issue of 
the patent. 

9. If applicant fails to pay the fee within the six months and the patent is forfeited 
under R. S. 4885, the papers are so marked and returned to the examiner, until such 
time as the application becomes abandoned by failure to further prosecute (R. S. 
4894,) or is renewed under R. S. 4897. The files and drawings of all abandoned cases 
and expired caveats are in the care of the chief draltsman. 

10. The caveats, upon reception in the examiner’s room, are examined to ascertain 
if the papers are in proper form and an intelligible disclosure made of the invention, 
and referred to from time to time to prevent the inadvertent issue of an interfering 
application filed during the life of the caveat. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in division fifteen in the office of Commissioner of 
Patents; 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Eeceived dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Eeceived up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

New application . 

Amentled application. 

139 

1,993 

1,955 

177 

1, 723 

1,643 

257 

1,647 

1,771 

193 

233 

249 

177 

39 

2, 028 

2,015 

52 

1, 694 

1,711 

35 

1, 661 

1,636 

60 

321 

286 

95 

Caveats. 


147 

147 

.... 

129 

129 


138 

138 

- - • . 

26 

26 

• • • • 





























312 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


SIXTEENTH (ELECTRICITY A) DIVISION. 

Report of the sixteenth (Eleetricity A) division, United States Patent Office, on the methods 
of business and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee and called for by Depart¬ 
ment circular of March 13^ 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the sixteenth di 
vision of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

Examination of applications for jjatent in the following classes of invention : 
Electricity, electric lighting, electric signaling, telegraphy, telephony. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the sixteenth division of the United States Pat¬ 
ent Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

5 3 

^ t- 

^ a ^ 

r 

Disposed of in 

Jan. and Feb. 

1887. 1 

o 

Examination of applications 
for patent. 

370 

4, 982 

4, 624 

728 

5, 733 

6,036 

425 

4, 649 

4, 880 

194 

535 

554 

175 


In August, 1866, the class of electricity was divided into divisions A and B. 
The new ” and old ” applications are included in the above figures. 


The folio wing statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted and disposed of, daring the periods specified, by the CLn])loyes in 
the sixteenth division of the United States Patent Office, Department of tbe Interior. 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1 

Dec. 

I 

Examination of- 














applications for 














patent . 

1884 

47 

40 

50 

47 

39 

50 

51 

43 

53 

39 

34 

45 

Do. 

1885 

53 

55 

65 

53 

50 

55 

63 

45 

49 

41 

45 

37 

Do. 

1886 

49 

57 

51 

63 

51 

63 

44 

37 

54 

54 

58 

38 

Do. 

1887 

48 

62 























1 


The following statement shows the average number of principal examiners and 
assistants in the sixteenth division of the United States Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior, during the periods specified : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

10 

10 

9 

9 

9 

8 

8 

8 

8 

7 

8 

8 

1885. 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

8 

8 

8 

8 

*» 

1886. 

8 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

7 

4 

5 


’o 

5 

1887 (to March 1). 

5 

5 



■ 

. 















i 

1 


The following statement shows the maximum and minimum number of examina¬ 
tions of applications for patents by the employd doing the most ana tbe employd doino- 
the least, during the periods specified, in the sixteenth division of the United States 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


EMPLOYS DOING THE MOST-MAXIMUM. 
















































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


313 


EMPLOYii DOING THE LEAST—MINIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feh. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












9 

1885. 

9 

15 

24 

17 

23 

12 

3 

10 

17 

7 

14 

14 

1886. 

9 

12 

9 

39 

41 

37 

21 

4 

24 

11 

41 

12 

1887 (to March 1). 

32 

53 

























The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the sixteenth division of the United States Patent Office, 
Department of the Interior : 


Tear. 

Number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
of days 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 

1884. 

8 

260.8 

7 

In person. 
Do. 

1885.. . 

9 

271.5 

7 

1886. 

7 

273. 5 

7 

Do. 

1887 (to March 1)......................... 

5 

47.6 

7 

Do. 





The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the emploj d present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days 
in the sixteenth division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Inte¬ 
rior, during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (lo 
March !).• 

Maximum number of days. 

275J 

IH 

289 

97^ 

287^ 

16 

50 

45 



SEVENTEENTH DIVISION. 


Eeport of the seventeenth division of the Patent Office on the methods of business and ivorlc^ 
as requested bif Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular of March 
13, 1687. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the seventeenth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

The examination of and action upon application for letters patent for inventions 
in the classes—11, book-binding ; 93, paper manufactures; 101, printing; with the 
examination and custody of caveats relating to .said claim. 

The clerical work of receiving and recording new cases, amending old cases, rnak- 
ino-listof patents granted, recording old actions made, making and mailing copies 
of*all actions not issues, classification and custody of drawings, photolithographs, and 
printed specifications. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, tran¬ 
sacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of 
at the dates specified below, in the seventeeuth division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

a 

si 

S 

Received dur- | 

ing 1884. I 

Disposed of in 

1884. 

c 

• 

to 

i GC 

•S ^ 

a 

<£' a 

C' 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

a 

a 

1* 

'CrH* 

M 

'Vo 

v.a 

a. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

a 

cz 

|i 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1887. 

Disposed of in 
1887. 

Pending 
March, 1 1887. \ 

Applications, new. 

290 

925 

720 *495 

*1.045 

1, 393 

147 

], 188 

1,096 

239 

202 

437 

147 

Applications, old. 

133 

1. 728 

1, 777 

81 

2,618 

2, 529 

173 

2, 523 

2, 538 

158 

539 

565 

93 

f 'n vp.a t,s ... 


72 

72 


75 

75 


94 

94 


14 

14 

.... 




421 


. 

726 



613 



102 















• 


*For several months work was extended many hours into the night. 
























































































314 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows tlie average amonnt and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of, during the periods specilied, I>y the employes iu 
the seventeenth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

[ Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tion for patents. 

30. 

38.4 

33.1 

45.1 

34.6 

34.8 

33.1 

24.2 

32.2 

30.2 

39.7 

38.2 

1885. 





Examination of applica- 
cation for patents. 

38.1 

32.5 

*72.4 

*60.4 

*59 

50.3 

62.6 

52 

62.2 

57 

46.12 

43.9 

1886. 





Examination of applica- 
cation for patents. 

63.5 

41.1 

47.3 


43.3 

65. 

44.6 

39.2 

55.4 

44.1 

54 

49.4 

1887 (to March 1). 




Examination of applica- 

p.nf.iriti fnr pn^-ftnt.a .. 

62.3 

54.4 














1 








* During these months many hours beyond the regular office hours and at night were devoted to 
work. 


No statement is practicable as to the clerical part of the work of the division. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the seventeenth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884* . 

7 

8 

8 

8 

7.5 

7.5 

7. 

6.5 

6. 5 

6. 5 

6. 5 

7. 

1885t . 

7 

8 

7 

8 

8. 

8. 

7. 5 

6. 

7. 

7. 

8. 5 

9.5 

1886| . 

9 

10 

10 

10 

10. 

9. 

8.5 

9. 

8. 

9. 

10. 

9. 

1887 (to March 1)]:. 

10 

11 













^One a clerk. Most of the copying of letters was done in the copying division, until we had two 
clerks in October, 1885. 

t Two clerks in October and November; three in December. 

J Three clerks. 

No record is kept or can be kept from which a statement showing the maximum 
and minimum amount of business transacted and disposed of by the employd doing 
the most and the employ^ doing the least during the periods specified in this division 
of the office, Department of the Interior, can be drawn. The number of cases upon 
which an employd acts is no indication of the “amount of business transacted and 
disposed of”—of the amount of work done in their examination and consideration. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employds in the seventeenth division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Tear. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
days 
present. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 

1884... 

7.17 

262. 7 
297. 5 
279.5 
45.5 

7 

None. 

None. 

None. 

None. 

1885. 

7. 63 

7 

1886. 

9. 03 

7 

1887 (to March 1)... 

10. 05 

8 



For several months many extra hours at night were devoted to work. 








































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


ai5 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the eraployd present for the least number of days 
in the seventeenth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specilied: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Character of business. 

Maxiinntn number of days .. 

276 

340 

278 

48 

Examination of applications, &c. 

Minimum number of days.... 

245 

282 

274 

43 


EIGHTEENTH DIVISION. 


Meport of the eighteenth division. United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested hg Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the eighteenth division 
of the Patent Office for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 (to March 1): 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

303 

281 

304 

376 

380 

377 

325 

232 

282 

309 

297 

275 

262 

330 

1885. 

382 

550 

497 

480 

422 

422 

449 

310 

333 

344 

349 

1886. 

356 

310 

422 

393 

382 

373 

298 

259 

240 

300 

308 

1887 (to March 1). 

309 

335 













The following statement shows the average number of employ ds during each month 
of the years named: 


Tear. 

[Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr, 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












5 

1885. 

5 

5 

6 

7 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

1886. 

5 

5 

5 

5 

6 

6 

6 

6 

6 

7 

6 

6 

1887 (t.rt TVTarr.b 1) _ 

6 

6 

















The clerical force is not included in the first table of this sheet, but is included in 
the second. 


The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during each mouth 
of the years named : 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar, 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












60 

1885. 

98 

74 

124 

140 

i48 

188 

143 

116 

134 

85 

86 

90 

1886. 

106 

74 

103 

92 

153 

119 

125 

106 

86 

74 

84 

79 

75 

97 













MINIMUM. 


1 884 . 












50 

1885. 

58 

44 

67 

42 

43 

42 

72 

57 

61 

42 

49 

57 

1886. 

32 

37 

33 

32 

26 

39 

35 

30 

25 

36 

33 

47 

1887 (in 

42 

46 






























































































































316 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


These figures represent new applications for patents, caveats, cases returned to the 
office for reconsideration, accompanied either by amendment, argument, correction, 

or request for reconsideration. • i i i 

Declarations of interferences, renewed cases, reissues, and appeals are also included. 

The clerical force is not included in'this sheet. 

The above figures are inadequate, and also misleading, as indicating the relative 
efficiency of employes, for the reason that the character of the work assigned to the 
examiners difl'ers so materially in relation to the time required for the treatment of 
each case, that the one whose record shows the smallest number of actions may be 
more industrious and efficient than the one who disposes ot the largest number. Also, 
in the work of everj’^ division there is a great amount of miscellaneous work which 
cannot be credited by figures, which often devolves mostly on one of the assistant 
examiners, who necessarily has less time for the more regular work that can be cred¬ 
ited in the daily report. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the 
greatest number of days and employd present for the least number of days : 


Year. 

Average ITo. 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
i dayys. 


270 

7 

280 

236 


278 

7 

281 

273 


282 

7 

278 

269 

1867 (to Marcli 1). 

47 

7 

48 

47 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the eighteenth 

division of the Patent Office. 

Examination of applications for patents. 

Examination of caveats. 

Reconsideration of rejected applications, if amended or returned, and a patent 
demanded. 

Preparation of a statement in case the inventor appeals from the decision of the 
examiner to the examiners-in-chief or to the Commissioner in person. 

In case applications conflict, and claim the same subject-matter, the examiner in¬ 
stitutes interference proceedings. 

Motions to dissolve an interference are heard by the primary examiner. 

The assistant examiners search for references and evidence as to patentability, and 
present the case to the jirincipal examiner, with the evidence collected, and from the 
decision arrived at an action is made, and the inventor is informed by tlie Commis¬ 
sioner. 

The lady clerk of the division enters each day in the register the applications received, 
after it is ascertained to which division they properly belong. She records all actions 
of the office in the register (the office action aud the inventor’s are recorded upon the 
back of the file); makes all proper amendments or changes in the case directed by tho 
inventor; copies all office letters and prepares them for mail; copies all statements,, 
decisions, reports, &c.; stamps and properly numbers file aud drawing aud all 
papers, and records the patents each week in the proper column in the register. She 
keeps account of all cases called up or sent out of the room, and receives and disposes 
of them on their return. She also makes up the daily, weekly, and monthly reports 
of time and work to the Commissioner. 

Statement of the eighteenth division of the Patent Office, showing the methods 
adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipt 
of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and 
giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business mat¬ 
ters, through the various divisions of the office and the various bureaus, aud divis¬ 
ions of such bureaus, and employes through whose hands the same passes, aud by 
whom it is cousidered and acted upon, aud the action thereon had aud taken by each, 
until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the jjroper 
2 )arty. 

Applications for letters patent and caveats, as they are received each day from the 
application division, are inspected, to ascertain to Which division they properly be¬ 
long, and are then recorded in the register by the lady clerk, who phices the serial 
number aud book number upon tlie drawing aud papers. The case is then ready for 
examination; and is taken up in the order of its date of filing, aud examined as to 
novelty, utility, clearness of description and illustration, formality of petition, oath, ' 














THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


317 


signatures, &c., and the inventor or his attorney is informed of the oflice decision. 
The case, if rejected, then awaits the inventor’s action. If allowed, for grant of 
patent, the case receives the signature of the examiner in charge, and is sent to the 
issue division, where it is prepared (on payment of the hiial fee) for the printer and 
photolithographer. 

When the inventor amends^ or requests a reconsideration, the case is again taken 
up, the amendment or argument considered, and a decision rendered as before. 

In case the inventor appeals to the board of examiners-in-chief or to the Commis¬ 
sioner, the examiner prepares a statement (in reply to the “reasons of appeal”) to ac¬ 
company the case. 

When two or more landing cases, or pending case, with nuexpired patents, have 
conflicting claims, the examiner forwards to the examiner of interferences notices of 
interference (together with the files and drawings) for all the parties; and if the issue 
has been well defined, and the notices are correct, the interference is declared pro 
forma by forwarding the notices to the several parties. After the decision of the 
examiner of interferences (upon evidence submitted, or upon the record) as to which 
party is the prior inventor, the cases are returned to the primary examiner, and fur¬ 
ther action taken in accordance with such decision. 

Motions to dissolve an interference are heard and decided by the primary examiner. 

Applications for reissue of letters patent are considered by the primary examiner; 
and are also subject to apiieal, interference, correction, or amendment. 

Cases renewed after forfeiture for non-payment of the final fee are entered and ex¬ 
amined with the new cases. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted. and disposed of during the x)eriod, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at 
the dates specified below, in the eighteenth division of the Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

§ 

Kf CO 
.2 

lieceivccl dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1885. 

Deceived dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Deceived dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1887. 

^ . CO 

£4 00 
O C3 

J 

Disposed o f 
during Jan. 
and Feb., 

1887. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patents. 

21C 

3, 869 

3, 741 

344 

4, 464 

4, 610 

198 

3, 929 

3, 971 

156 

641 

644 


These figures represent new applications for patents, caveats, cases returned to the 
office for reconsideration, accompanied either by amendment, argument, coiTection, or 
request for reconsideration. Declarations of interference, renewed cases, reissues, 
and appeals are also included. 


NINETEENTH DIVISION. 

Report of the nineteenth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of husiness and 
worh, as requested hy Senate Select Committee, and called for hy Department circular of 
March 13, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the nineteenth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

The business of this division consists solely in the examination of applications for 
patents. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the nineteenth 
division of the Patent Office, in the Department of the Interior, including one or 
more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division,^ beginning 
with the receipt of the business matter in the division, and then showing in con¬ 
secutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters 
through the division, and the employes through whose hands the same passes, and 
bv whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had arid taken b^ 
each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the 
proper party. 

As in the other examining divisions the applications are each day duly entered in 
the re<^ister. They are then assigned to the assistant having immediate charge or the 
class or classes of invention to which they belong, and by him examined when reached 




























518 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


in the order prescribed by the rules of practice. Every action by the office, and every 
amendment by the applicant is recorded, both on the file of the case and in the reg¬ 
ister, and when the case is passed to issue a similar record is made. After issue the 
cases are beyond the jurisdiction of the examiner, and subsequent steps are pursued 
under the direction and management of the issue and gazette division. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the nineteenth division of the Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan, 

1, 1884. 

Keceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed o f | 

in 1844. 1 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1885. 

Keceived dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Disposed o f 

in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1886. 

Keceived dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed o f 

in 1886. 

Cj 

P T-l 

<v 

Ph 

1 

Keceived dur¬ 

ing 1887. 

Disposed o f 

in 1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1, 1887. 

Applications for patents; 














New. 

284 

1, 718 

1, 469 

533 

1, 503 

1,699 

337 

1,695 

1,712 

320 

389 

475 

234 

Amended. .. 

123 

2, 464 

2, 512 

75 

3, 539 

3, 554 

60 

3, 320 

3,279 

101 

517 

553 

65 

Caveats. 

0 

107 

107 

0 

103 

103 

0 

88 

98 

0 

45 

49 

0 

Applications sent to issue 



777 



836 



769 



















The number of issues is included in the number of actions on applications. 

The transfer hence of the subclass “ driers” on the 19th of August, 1884, and the 
subclass “ lamps and gas-fixtures” on the 21st of February, 1887, to divisions eight¬ 
een and fifteen, respectively, will account for the decrease in new applications subse¬ 
quently received. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in the 
nineteenth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 



Prior to the issuance of order No. 200, dated November 29, 1884, there was no re¬ 
quirement for each division to keep a record of the work performed by the examiners. 
Hence, no report can be given for said work prior to November, 1884. 

The absence of examiners on leave will account, in a great degvee, for the wide 
variation in these averages. 





















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


319 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the nineteenth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods speci¬ 
fied : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

Alay. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

188.4. 

5 

H. 

6 

6 

6 

H 


6| 

7 


9 


1885. 

8^ 

H 


8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

1886. 

815 

9 

8S 



8 

9^ 

10^ 

11 

11 



1887 (to March 1).. 

12i 

11 ^ 
























This report is compiled from the names of examiners, clerks, and messengers which 
appear upon the time report, whether said employes were actually present or absent 
on leave. 


The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of actions by 
examiners on applications (new and old) and on caveats by the employd doing the 
most and the employd doing the least during the periods specified, in the nineteenth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 











139 

129 

1885. 

218 

167 

206 

122 

225 

227 

ISl 

162 

150 

203 

167 

181 

1886.. 

1887 (to Mar. 1). 

183 

166 

193 

113 

207 

139 

190 

181 

153 

104 

127 

151 

138 

158 













MINIMUM. 


1884. . 











46 

51 

1885. 

91 

12 

14 

32 

31 

42 

46 

37 

20 

49 

50 

65 

1886. 

38 

34 

0 

44 

52 

81 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

35 

1887 (tn lUar 11 .. .. 

54 

30 

















It often happens that the principal examiner makes fewer actions than any of his 
assistants for a given month, but no account of the principals actions is taken in mak¬ 
ing up the minimum table, because most of his time and attention is occupied in other 
ways than in examining cases. 

Sickness and the short duration of time employes were assigned to this division 
determine the figures in the minimum tabulation. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods si)eci- 
fied.by the employds in the nineteenth division of the Patent Office, Department of 
the Interior: 


Year. 

Average No. 
of employes. 

Average No. 
of days 
present. 

Average No. 
ol hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 


6| 

279 

7 

0 



277 

7 

0 

1888 . 

9J 

265 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

12 

279 

7 

0 


The third column shows the average number of days present of those employds 
whose names appear on the time report for the year in full. 

The average for 1886 is reduced by the illness of an examiner for four months. 

The time report fails to show the many hours of night work performed by the em¬ 
ployds of this division, which cannot, therefore, be included in this report. 





























































































320 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the nineteenth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

279 

277 

279 

32 

Minimum number of days.. 

37 

47 

3 

2 


Of the employes whose records show them to have been present during the least 
number of days, the first was not assigned till October 3; the second was assigned 
March 12, and transferred hence April 31 following; the third was assigned July 23, 
and transferred hence on the 27 of the siime month ; the fourth was assigned Febru¬ 
ary 11, and transferred hence on the 14th of the same month. 


TWENTIETH DIVISION. 

Report of the twentieth division of the Patent Office, on the methods of business and workf 
as requested by the Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23. 18::j7. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the datjs specified below, in the twentieth division of the Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

a 

fcf 7C 

V 

C-( 

Received dur- | 

ing 1884. 1 

O 

r— 00 

^ CO 

P--2 

p 

Pending Jan. 

1, 188.5. 

u 

'C 

r- ^ 

'w 00 

^ a 

Disposed of 
in 1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1 , 1886. 

rz to 
? CO 

t'tt 

e 

1—1 

Disposed of 
in 1886. 

• 

* t> 

cXoo 

S3 -- 

O 

£^00 

33 00 

^ f-T 
> . 

Disposed of op 
to Mar. 1,1887. 

S 

|S 

P 

Examination of applications 

188 

4, 230 

4,112 

306 

4, 649 

4, 741 

214 

4, 6bl 

4, 690 

175 

656 

617 

214 


The above figures indicate totals of old and new cases. 

The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of dnriuj^ the periods specified, by the employes in 
the twentieth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


Average amouut Iransacted during each month. 



Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions . 

79 

70| 

861 

693 

59^ 

653 

61i 

66 | 

69§ 

813 

65f 

78f 

1885. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions. 

96J 

55i 

102 

89i 

68 J 

671 

73J 

66 § 

65§ 

68 

52i 

61t 

1886. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions. 

69§ 

60f 

85J 

86 | 

804 

90| 

79| 

82| 

70a 

78§ 

50i 

65 

1887. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions. 

51| 

55i 
























The above statement includes examiners onlv. 




































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


B21 


The comparatively small amount of work reported since November, 1886, is caused 
by the fact that since the above date two assistants have been assigned to this di vis* 
ion, who are inexperienced in the work of examination. 


The following statement shows the average number of employ6s in the twentieth 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of examina¬ 
tions of applications transacted aud disposed of by the employ6 doing the most and 
the employd doing the least during the periods specified, in the twentieth division of 
the Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feh. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

( 

64 

29 

50 

30 

25 

25 

14 

27 

35 

21 

14 

31 

1885.-.< 

75 

52 

61 

84 

60 

53 

60 

49 

49 

50 

39 

49 

( 

139 

81 

111 

114 

85 

78 

74 

76 

84 

. 71 

53 

80 

( 

49 

30 

64 

32 

25 

81 

31 

19 

33 

22 

15 

23 

1886.< 

58 

67 

70 

82 

74 

62 

69 

70 

53 

69 

58 

50 


107 

97 

134 

114 

99 

93 

100 

89 

86 

91 

73 

73 


18 

47 











1887 (to March 1).< 

39 

38 












57 

85 

























MINIMUM. 


C 

30 

9 

15 

23 

32 

26 

16 

16 

23 

26 

6 

10 

1885. < 

35 

80 

26 

47 

11 

29 

28 

32 

34 

30 

40 

23 

I 

65 

39 

41 

70 

43 

55 

44 

48 

57 

56 

46 

33 

( 

14 

14 

10 

19 

17 

27 

20 

18 

21 

20 

22 

23 

1886.< 

29 

19 

31 

41 

41 

41 

36 

48 

37 

32 

26 

14 

( 

43 

15 

33 

15 

41 

60 

58 

68 

56 

66 

58 

52 

48 

37 

1 ftft7 /fnATarpli _ ^ 

31 

24 












46 

39 
























No record of work kept for 1884. 

The above statement includes examiners only. 

The first line of figures opposite each year in the above statement indicates new 
cases, the second line old cases, and the third line total cases. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the ijeriods 
specified, by the emxiloy^s iu the twentieth division of the Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. of 
euiploy68. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy. 


7 

260J 

275? 


0 


7 

H 

0 


7 

274 S 


0 


7 

48 


0 






The above statement includes examiners, clerks, copyists, &c. 

4402 INT- 21 



























































































322 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to examina¬ 
tions of applications by theemployd present for the greatest number of days, and also 
the minimum number of days devoted to business by the employ^ present lor the least 
number of days in the twentieth division of the Patent Office, Department ol the In¬ 
terior, during the periods specihed: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar.l). 

Maximum number of clays. 

Minimum number of days. 

275 

t217 

*320 

1234 

*330 

271 

48 

48 


* Extra work on part of examiner. 

t This minimum number of days reported is by reason of the fact that the^ examiner was absent from 
his desk on account of sickness as per certificate of physician on file in this ofiice. 


TWENTY-FIRST DIVISION. 

Report of the twenty-first division United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Deqyartment circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the division of textiles (No. 21,) in the United 
States Patent Office: 


Cbaracter of busi¬ 
ness. 

P 

P 

P 00 

'O ^ 
P rH 

0; 

IH 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

»2 ^ 

p^ 

<o 

Ph 

p 

3 . 

r® O 

r-C * 

'O GO 
^ rH 

o.S 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1887. 

Received up to 
Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar.l, 1887. 

Pending Mar. 

Mar.l, 1887. 

Now cases_ 

254 

52 

647 

427 

474 

613 

897 

190 

744 

805 

129 

136 

146 

119 

Amended. 

1,214 

31 

1 , 200 
31 

66 

1 , 800 
30 

1, 832 

34 

2, 304 
41 

2,248 

41 

90 

277 

227 

140 

A ppeala _ -_... 


30 



4 

4 

ria.vears -... 


45 

45 


40 

40 


48 

48 


11 

11 









The following statement shows in detail the business in the twenty-first division of 
the United States Patent Office for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887, (to March 1.) : 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. . 












24 

1885. 

31 

29 

40 

42 

42 

45 

50 

31 

28 

44 

39 

59 

1686. 

49 

38 

92 

119 

92 

98 

75 

34 

50 

58 

47 

39 

Afarp.li 1) _ . _ _ . 

40 

24 




















The above is the average number of actions made by employ<5s engaged in examin¬ 
ing work. The work of the clerical force has been here ignored, owing to the impos¬ 
sibility of properly averaging their work with that of the examining corps. 


The following statement shows the average number of employds during each month 
of the years named: 



oc t-oo 


























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


323 


Of tho iinniber of employdsfor 1834, 1835, aud 1883, two were ou clerical and other 
work; and of the number for 1887, six yrere on examining duty, and two on other 
work. 

The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during each month 
of the years named: 

MAXmUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 












41 

1885. 

43 

50 

63 

90 

82 

84 

83 

118 

58 

72 

70 

92 

83 

85 

130 

75 

1886. 

105 

152 

172 

124 

125 

104 

93 

103 

1887 (to March 1). 

85 

50 













MINIMUM. 


1884. 












15 

1885.. 

25 

9 

26 

21 

11 

14 

13 

9 

8 

7 

29 

14 

1886. 

17 

38 

87 

81 

f.4 

78 

34 

36 

22 

24 

34 

28 

1887 (to March 1).. 

22 

18 

























The above tables refer merely to actions made by persons employed in examining. 

No record of work performed by individuals was required to be kept by the office 
rules and orders prior to December, 1884. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to tho consideration and transaction of business, also the number of 
days devoted to business by the employes present for tho greatest number of days 
and employ6 present for the least number of days during the following years: 


Year. 

Average 
number of 
days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person 
or by 
proxy. 

Maximum 
number of 
days. 

Minimum 
number of 
days. 

1884 . 


7 

In person. 
_do. 



1885 . 

273 

7 

*284 

*270 

1886 . 

284 

43 

7 

_do. 

tsoi 

t266 

1 ^ 1) .. - ... 

7 

_do. 

t48 

t36 





* Five persons continuously. 

t Only 3 persons continuously in the division for either year. 


In the above table the 7 hours daily is merely the legal requirment. From one- 
half to two hours daily have been given by each employd in addition to the number 
noted. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-first 
(textiles) division of the United States Patent Office. 

The work performed in this division consists chiefiy of the examination of applica¬ 
tions for letters patent on inventions that pertain to any of the following classes : 

13. Brakes and gins. 

19. Carding. 

26. Cloth-finishing. 

28. Cordage. 

66. Knitting and netting. 

117. Silk. 

116. Spinning. 

139. Weaving. 




































































324 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


TWENTY-SECOND DIVISION. 

Bepori of the twenty-second division United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for bi/ Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the twenty-second division 
of the office of patents, for the years 1884, 1885, 183(3, and 1887 (to March 1): 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

414 

437 

398 

501 

489 

446 

410 

403 

505 

405 

348 

444 

1885.. 

459 

427 

423 

441 

456 

423 

449 

318 

310 

395 

447 

456 

1886. 

513 

468 

431 

448 

417 

423 

469 

476 

384 

432 

467 

474 

1887 (to March 1). 

479 

384 













The above table represents the number of actions upon applications for patents. 
The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

8 

8 

8 

8 

8 

1885. 

8 

8 

8 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

8 

8 

1886. 

8 

8 

8 

7 

7 


7 

7 

7 

8 

8 

8 

1887 (to March 1). 

8 

8 








■ 












The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing ihe most and the employd doing the least during each mouth 
of the years named: 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

•June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov.' 

Dec. 

1885. 

102 

112 

137 

DO 

106 

120 

132 

105 

119 

110 

Ill 

111 

107 

135 

124 

114 

102 

135 

89 

161 

Ill 

130 

98 

no 

102 

123 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 











MINIMUM. 


1885. 

68 

82 

95 

64 

73 

67 

72 

66 

91 

67 

96 

64 

89 

64 

82 

54 

19 

19 

42 

40 

68 

68 

57 

49 

73 

59 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 













The report of work by individual examiners was not recorded for the year 1884. 

The above tables represent the number of actions upon applications for patents made 
by the examiner performing the maximum and minimum amount of work. 

The f(dlowiug statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, also the number of 
days devoted to business by the employd present for the greatest number of days and 
employd present for the least number of days during the years named ; 


Year. 


1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1) 


Average No. 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

282 

8 

In person... 

298 

12 

294 

8 

_do. 

293 

9 

283 

8 

-do. 

290 

13 

34 

8 

-do. 

51 

11 





















































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 




statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-second 

division of the Patent Office. 

(1) Inspection of caveats. 

(2) Inspection of aj)plicatious when first filed with the examiner to determine if 
the same be properly assigned. 

(3) Examination of applications as to proper form and as to state of the art. 

(4) Re-examination of applications when amended or corrected. 

(5) Answers to appeals to the board of examiners-in-chief or to the Commissioner 
of Patents. 

(6) Declaration of interference between pending cases or betw een pending cases 
and patents, &c. 

(7) Hearing motions to dissolve interferences and determining the question of dis¬ 
solution. 

(8) Reports on extension of patents. 

(9) Miscellaneous duties, such as reclassification of applications, as to line of in¬ 
vention, reports to the Commissioner in particular cases, service in special commit¬ 
tees, &c. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the i)eriod, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the division of fire-arms, ordnance, marine pro¬ 
pulsion, ship-building (division twenty-two). Patent Office : 


Character of business. 

0 

a 

- 

o 

a, 

lleceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed o f 
in 1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1885. 

Deceived dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

d 

C3 

C rH 

0 

HI 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

.3 

Cm 

o 

^ CO 
£ 00 

S ^ 

Q 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1887. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1887. 

Disposed of , 
during 1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1 1,1887. 

Number of applications. 

134 

1,848 

5, 404 

117 

1, 666 

5, 005 

117 

1,902 

5, 881 

89 

273 

863 

86 

Number of actions upon aj)plica- 














finnfl ___ 



5, 404 



5, 005 



5, 381 



863 















Statement of the twenty-second division of the Patent Office, showing the methods 
adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning w ith the receipt 
of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and 
giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business mat¬ 
ters through the various divisions of the office and the various Bureaus and divis¬ 
ions of such Bureaus, and employes through whose hands the same passes, and by 
whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by 
each until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the pro¬ 
per party. 

• 

When an application has been filed in the application room, complete in all res¬ 
pects, including petition, specification, oath, and drawings, and has been assigned 
to the primary examiner, his first duty is to inspect the same to determine if it has 
been properly assigned to his division, and, if not, to return the same to the applica¬ 
tion room for further designation. If it has been properly assigned, the file wrapper 
and drawing are stamped with the title of the sub-class to wffiich the invention per¬ 
tains, and the application is placed in a suitable receptacle, in the order of its serial 
number and date of filing. 

Each application is taken u]) for examination in its order of filing; the oath is in¬ 
spected to determine if it complies with the requirements of law and the rules of the 
office; the description iscarefully criticised to discover if it is in proper form, free from 
inaccuracies and unnecessary verbiage; and the claims are then examined as to form, 
and in view of the state of the art, as shown and described in native and foreign pat¬ 
ents and in printed publications. 

The examination having been thorough iu all particulars, applicant (or his attor¬ 
ney, if he has one) is advised of the result of such examination—all objections, formal 
or otherwise, being embodied in the first official letter. 

As often as the application is amended it is re-examined, and is either passed to 
issue—all requirements of the office having been complied with—or applicant is given 
the opportunity to appeal to the board of examiners-in-chief or to the Commissioner, 
as the circumstances may demand. 

On such appeal having been made in writing, the examiner is required to answer 
the same, also in writing, upon the points of difference raised by the applicant. 
































326 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


When pending applications, the suhjects-matter of which are decided to he patent¬ 
able, are found to conflict with pending applicatioDS, or with nuexpired patents, the 
examiner declares a preliminary iuteriereuce between the respective cases, and the 
whole subject is then referred to the examiner of interferences. 

It often happens that motions are made by the parties interested to dissolve such 
interferences on various grounds, and when this is the case all the papers are referred 
back to the primary examiner to hear the argunients of the applicants or their at¬ 
torneys, and to determine the question of dissolution, and to report his decision in 
writing. Any appeal from such decision he is also recj^uired to answer in writing. 

These duties, and others, such as reports to the Commissioner in individual cases^ 
hearing his assistant’s cases, reports as to extensions of patents, applications for reis¬ 
sues of patents, reclassification of inventions, service on special couimittees, &c.,^ 
come within the province of the primary examiner, and for the faithful execution of 
which duties he is held responsible to the Commissioner. 

The above r6sum6 of the duties of an examiner’s division is all that can be given 
in this report, an enumeration of the details of the various subjects requiring his at¬ 
tention and action necessitating a more extended space than is here permitted. 


TWENTY-THIRD DIVISION. 

Iteport of the twenty-third examining division, United States Paten t Office, on the methods 
of husiness and worh, as requested by Senate Select Committee and called for by Depart¬ 
ment circular of March 13, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-third 
examining division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior. 

(1) Examination of applications for patent in the following classes of invention: 
Acoustics; drafting; educational appliances; horology; measuring instruments; 
optics. 

(2) Examination of applications for registration of trade-marks under the act of 
March 3, 1881, and prints and labels under that of June 18, 1874. 

From the distinct character of these two branches of work, no just comparison 
can be made between them. In the appended reports, forms D, E, F, G, H, and I, 
separate schedules are therefore given. The personal time of the principal examiner 
is necesssarilj’’ given to both. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the twenty-third 
examining division of the United States Patent Office, in the Department of the 
Interior, including one or more items of the principal business matters transacted 
in said division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the office, and 
then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal 
business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose bauds the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted 
upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally dis¬ 
posed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 

Files for applications of all kinds are made up in the application division, and are 
not sent to the examiner until they appear to be in proper order. 

In division twenty-three, separate books are kept for applications for patent and for 
applications for registration of trade-marks and labels, under the acts of March, 1881, 
and June, 1874. These two branches of work are kept as separate as if they belonged 
to distinct divisions. 

Applications as received are recorded in the appropriate register, Avith full data: 
Name of applicant, his attorney, title of invention (or whatever may correspond 
thereto), date of filing, date of receipt in room, &c., and then, under direction of the 
principal examiner, assigned to the assistants who are to examine them. The date 
of filing determines the order in which they are to be taken up for examination, but 
amended cases have precedence. Allowance is indicated by the principal examiner’s 
signature on the face of the file, and its transmittal to tbo issue division, when the 
examiner’s jurisdiction over it ceases. 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


327 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the twenty-third examining division of the United 
States Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

1 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Dispose.d of in 

1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1887. 

Disposed of in 

1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Applications for 
patent. 

99 

3, 063 

2, 904 

258 

3, 521 

3, 593 

186 

3, 556 

3,518 

234 

661 

672 

223 


“New” and “old” cases are consolidated in this report. “ New ” being those 
which have never before received action ; “ old ” those which after one or more actions 
are again called up by amendment, argument, or appeal. No account is taken of cases 
not awaiting office action. The numbers of these can only be ascertained by actual 
count at any date. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods si)ecified, by the employes in 
the twenty-third division of the United States Patent Office, Department of tlie In¬ 
terior : 


Character of business. 

1884. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patent. 

1885. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patent. 

1886. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patent . 

1887. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patent. 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

93 

76 

93 

93 

86 

87 

81 

72 

94 

76 

87 

75 

99 

86 

146 

141 

96 

108 

97 

100 

89 

87 

86 

105 

90 

85 

102 

82 

129 

112 

69 

94 

105 

76 

125 

108 

92 

89 












The following statement shows the average number of employes in the twenty-third 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified : 


Tear. 


1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1) 


Jan. 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 


June. 


July. 


Aug. 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


The above figures indicate assistants on mechanical cases, and are approximate 
only. 


M CO 














































































328 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement sliojrs the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most, and the employ^ doing 
the least during the periods specified, in the twenty-third division of the United 
States Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


MAXIMUM. 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

iAug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Examining appli¬ 
cations for pat¬ 
ent, .. 

1884 












113 

Do. 

1885 

121 

115 

168 

184 

151 

171 

118 

106 

110 

io2 

105 

115 

Do. 

1886 

108 

110 

151 

147 

76 

127 

153 

101 

99 

140 

108 

128 

Do. 

*1887 

114 

102 













MINIMUM. 



No permanent records kept prior to December, 1884, from which these data can be 
obtained. 

The following statement shows tlie average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the assistant examiners employed on applications for patent in the 
twenty-third division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of (lays 
present. 

Average 
No, of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

1884. 

3 


7 

A 

1885. 

3 

284 

7 

V 

A 

1886. 

3 

286 


U 

1887 (to March 1). 

4 

50 

i 

7 

u 

0 


The above table is made up on a basis of 313 days in a year. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to examin¬ 
ing applications for patents by the employ6 present for the greatest number of days, 
and also the minimum number of days devoted to business by the employd present 
for the least number of days in the twenty-third division of the United States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior, during the period specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

Maximum number of davs. 

293 

286 

291 

283 

287 

285 

50 

50 

Minimum number of days. 



This report is based on an estimate of 313 working days in the year. It includes 
only the time of assistant examiners. The principal examiner, whose business it has 
been to supervise and direct the work of all assistants, was present in 1884 301 days * 
in 1885, 306 days; in 1886, 311 days; and up to the close of February, 1887, 50 days. ^ 



















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


329 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specitied below, in the examining division (No. 23) of the United States 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Cliaracter of business. 

d 

y.CC 

3 

Ph 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 

1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 

1885. 

a 

cS 

^ «d 

tioo 

5 

2 -( 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

3 

cS 

I'i 

1 "' 

V 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1887. 

Disposed of in 

1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887, ' 

Trade-mark and label. 

31 

3, 318 

3, 322 

27 

3,410 

3,432 

5 

3, 933 

3, 891 

47 

635 

657 

45 



dhis report consolidates cases known in office language as new and old. No account 
is taken of cases legally pending but not awaiting office action. The number of 
these is always several thousand, but can only be determined by actual count. 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business x)er- 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in the 
twenty-third division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior 


A-verage amount transacted each month. 


Character of buiiness. 


Examination of applica¬ 
tions for registration of 
trade-marks and labels: 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

281 

297 

275 

268 

312 

306 

281 

376 


Mar. 


221 

358 

399 


Ai)r. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

•Dec. 

305 

307 

363 

344 

289 

317 

282 

326 

349 

297 
292 

298 

203 

109 

303 

253 

200 

265 

365 

298 

213 

266 

251 

293 

231 

291 

271 











Only one person employed on this work. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the twenty- 
third division of the United States Patent Office, Department of ithe Interior, during 
the periods specified : 



The above assistant examiner was employed exclusively at trade-mark desk. 

In the absence of this assistant, the principal examiner has taken charge of the- 
trade-mark de.sk. This was necessary to keep the work from accumulating, and 
accounts for the above report, which would otherwise appear to take no note of 
leaves of absence. 


The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business- 
transacted and disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing 
the least, during the periods specified, in the twenty-third division of the United 
States Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 

MAXIMUM. 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for registration of 
trade-marks and labels: 
1884. 

281 

297 

221 

305 

344 

282 

297 

203 

253 

365 

266 

231 

1885. 

275 

268 

358 

307 

289 

326 

292 

109 

200 

298 

251 

291 

1886. 

312 

306 

399 

363 

317 

349 

298 

303 

265 

213 

293 

271 

1887 (to March 1) .... 

281 

376 






























































































































330 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The rninitnnm <aniount of bneiness transacted by tbis division is tlie same as the 
maximnm, as only one person is employed on this work. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and 
attention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, during the periods 
specified, by the assistant examiner at the trade-mark desk in the twenty-third di¬ 
vision of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Year. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of (lays 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

1884. 

1 

2.56 

7- 

0 

1885. 

1 

275 

7 

0 

1886. 

1 

2 B2 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

1 

25 

7 

0 


The above report is made up on a basis of 31.3 working days in a year. 

The following statement shows the maximum numberofdays devoted to examining 
trade-mark and label ajiplications by the employe present for the greatest number of 
days, and also the minimum number of days devoted to business by the employd 
])resentfor the least number of days in the twenty-third division of the United States 
Patent Office, Dei)artment of the Interior, during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

Maximum number of days. 

256 

275 

232 

Minimum number of davs.-. 

256 

275 

232 



Only one person employed in this distinctive work. The principal examiner has 
been present for the same periods, respectively, 301,30(3, 311, and 50 days, constantly 
supervising the work, and in the absence of his assistant taking personal charge of 
the desk. 


TWENTY-FOURTH DIVISION. 

Report of the twenty-fourth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business, 
and ivork, as requestedby Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circu¬ 
lar of March 13, 1S87. 

•Statement showing the principal items of business trau.sacted in the twenty-fourth 

division of the Patent Office. 

1. Examination of applicants for patent in the following classes of invention, to 
wit: 

Class 2.—Apparel. 

Class 29.—Crinoline and corsets. 

Class 112.—Sewing machines. 

Class 165.—Designs. 

Statement of the twenty-fourth division of the Patent Office, showing the methods 
adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the receipt 
of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, and 
giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such business mat¬ 
ters through the various divisions of the office and the various Bureaus and divis¬ 
ions of such Bureaus, and the employes through whose hands the same passes, and 
by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by 
each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof given to the proper 
party. 

On receipt of the applications from the application division the examiner inspects 
the same, ascertaining by such inspection if the'same fall properly within the 
classes over which he has jurisdiction. If he finds any which do not fall within such 





























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


331 


classes lie returns such to the application division,with his reasons. The other appli¬ 
cations are then entered by the examiner’s clerk upon the proper register—a register 
being kept in division twenty-four for each class of invention making up the division. 

Upon this entry is noted the serial numbers of the respective applications, the 
name of the applicant, his attorney, the title of invention, its date of-tiling, its re¬ 
ceipt in the division. The order of receipt by the office controls the date of its con¬ 
sideration (rule 62.) Upon examination, which covers both the public field and that 
pending within the office, and proper restriction of the invention of'the application 
being made to such state of the art, the examiner indicates allowance by affixing 
his signature upon the face of the file, whereupon the application is recorded upon 
the register as “ examined ” and delivered to the issue division to be printed and de¬ 
livered. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the examining division No. 24 of the United States 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

3 

O 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 
1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1686. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1887. 

Disposed of in 

1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Applications for patents .. 

216 

5,040 

4,763 

493 

5, 518 

5, 727 

284 

5,196 

5,065 

415 

928 

1,127 

216 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of buvsiness per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the ])eriods specified, by the employes in 
the twenty-fourth division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior : 



The word “ a.verage” is,interpreted in the above statement as meaning “ exact,” 
the examinations reported being inclusive of both “ new” and “ old” cases. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the twenty- 
fourth division of the United States PatentOffice, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified: 




















































































332 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maxiinnni and minimum examinations of ap¬ 
plications for patents disposed of by the employ6 doing the most and the employ 6 
doing the least during the periods specified, in the twenty-fourth division of the 
United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 

MAXIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J une. 

July. 

< 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Xov. 

Dec. 

1885. 

116 

113 

109 

129 

130 

134 

118 

123 

05 

98 

82 

101 

89 

100 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1). 

129 

151 

73 

121 

110 

100 

84 

144 

124 

112 

106 

112 













MINIMUM. 


1885. 

27 

44 

23 

21 

42 

51 

30 

3 

12 

51 

43 

43 

1886. . 

51 

49 

57 

68 

58 

9 

5 

43 

35 

24 

36 

16 

1887 (to March 1)_ 

28 

21 





1 








A record of individual work done was not kept prior to the month of January, 18^5.- 
Since and including that mouth a count of cases disposed of by the individuals in the 
examining corps has been kept. Inasmuch, however, as the character of the cases dif¬ 
fers in greater proportions than differences in the character of the individuals doing the 
work, such record indicates simply the number of cases disiiosed of, irresjiectivo of 
their character. The clerical employes of the division are without other record than, 
their reputation for efficiency. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the twenty-fourth division of the United {States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior ; 


Tear. 

Numberof 

employes. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

Number 
by proxy .w 

1884. 

7 

276.3 

7 

0 

1885.. 

9 

269.6 

7 

0 

1886. 

9 

270. 6 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

10 

46.6 

7 

0 


The above table is based upon the fact that in the year 1884 there were only 307 
working days, by reason of the fact that owing to the 52 Sundays, the G legal and 1 
special holiday of that year, there were 59 days on which no record of work done was 
kept. For the same reason in the year 1885 there were only 301.5 working days, and 
in the year 1886 only 305 working days, while up to March 1,1887, there were 48 work¬ 
ing days. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the twenty-fourth examining division of the United States Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior, during the periods specified: * 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

283 

258 

276.5 
252. 5 

293 

256 

48 

4C 

Minimum number of days.. 


'Ihe above table is based upon a list of those employes of the division only whose 
entire «lutios for the respective year were transacted in the division, omitting all those 
whose services in the division comprised only a fractional part of the year. The 
actual working days of the respective years taken as a basis are those indicated in, 
the remarks appended to table immediately x)receding. 














































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


333 


TWENTY-FIFTH DIVISION. 

Heport of the twenty-fjth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by the Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department 
circular of March 23, 18S7. 

Ihe following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the division twenty-five in the Office of Commis¬ 
sioner of Patents: 


■Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1884. 

Keceived dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

.2^ 

rs 

a"’ 

a 

Deceived dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 

1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

a 

C5 

o 

Ch 

Received up to 

Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 

to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 1 

Whole number of 
applications pend¬ 
ing not now ascer 
tainable, probably 
on hand, new and 
old . 

1,100 


2 , 616 

20 

21 

1,100 



1,100 



1,120 




Whole number of ac¬ 
tions . 


2, 908 

27 

35 


2 , 600 

9 

31 


367 

.... 

Number of appeals, 
about. 









Number of interfer¬ 
ences . 







— 




Number of applica¬ 
tions . 


912 

79 


826 

93 


841 

84 

240 



Number of caveats.. 







. 

9 

. 


Number of applica¬ 
tions, new and old, 
•disposed of (t. e., 
acted upon, a 1- 
lowed, or aban- 
< doned), about. 


839 


950 


726 



_ 

95 












The following statement shows in detail the number of actions on applications in 
the fourteenth examining division of the office of the Commissioner of Patents for 
the years named: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

•1884. 


40 

40 

58 

52 

62 

75 

57 

50 

68 

67 

78 

84 


203 

203 

234 

229 

248 

250 

178 

161 

214 

201 

235 

252 

1885. 


75 

57 

53 

69 

66 

53 

53 

45 

47 

46 

55 

55 

...j 

302 

230 

269 

275 

2 C6 

267 

266 

226 

236 

225 

220 

220 

1886. 


39 

43 

39 

40 

40 

40 

44 

23 

35 

27 

35 

39 

... j 

239 

216 

234 

238 

238 

262 

255 

164 

209 

194 

209 

297 

1887 (to March 1) ... 

"I 

46 

26 











232 

157 























The first line of figures opposite each year in the above table indicates the averages 
•of individuals, examiners, or assistants; the second line, the totals. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes, iucluding clerics, 
during each month of the years named: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

n 

6 

7 

6 

6 

6 


5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

1885. 

6 

7 

6 

6 

7 

7 

7 

7 

7 

6 

6 

1886.. 

6 

7 

8 


7 

8 

8 

9 

8 

9 

8 

8 

1887 ftn Mnrp.h 11 

7 

8 























No allowance made herein for leaves of absence, which would be about equal for 
• all—thirty dayaeach. 


































































































































334 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Tho following statement sliows the amount of actions on applications transacted 
and disposed of by the employ6 doing the most and the employd doing the least dur¬ 
ing each month of the years named : 


■ MAXIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Fel). 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886.. 

1887 (to March 1). 

68 

132 

101 

71 

53 

130 

102 

39 

67 

140 

117 

71 

157 

112 

100 

130 

111 

124 

125 
106 

94 

106 

112 

57 

77 

98 

106 

97 

81 

76 

148 

68 

102 

125 

75 

121 

103 

71 













MINIMUM. 


1884. 

6 

34 

16 

17 

31 

44 

14 

12 

29 

45 

11 

14 

7 

10 

24 

19 

12 

• 4 
12 
14 

31 

8 

1 

23 

7 

5 

12 

15 

10 

23 

7 

6 

30 

8 

10 

1885. 

1886.. 

1887. 












The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business; also the number of 
days devoted to business by the employd present for the greatest number of days and 
employ d present for the least number of days during the years named : 


Tear. 

Average No. 
of days. 

Uours 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of daj’s. 

1884. 

253 

7 

280 

226 

1885. 

270 

7 

278 

263 

1886. 

272 

7 

278 

264 

1887 (to March 1). 

47 

8 

48 

46 


In tho above statement the second and third columns indicate the average between 
the days of the one most absent and the one least absent. At least one hour per diem 
for one person should be added for extra work for the whole period. 


Statement of the twenty-fifth examining division of the Patent Office, showing the 
methods adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with the 
receipt of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Department, 
and giving, in consecutive order, the various steps taken by each of such businesa 
matters, through the various divisions of the office and the various Bureaus and 
divisions of such Bureaus, and employds through whose hands the same passes, and 
by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by 
each, until tho same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the 
proper party. 

(1) Fee and essential parts of complete application or caveat received by financial 
clerk and ‘‘ applications’^ room. 

(2) Completed case sent forward to examiner, with date of completion marked on 
the face of the file. Case entered on examiner’s record and placed on the docket for 
examination in the order to which its filing, date, orother circumstances entitle it 
under the rules. 

(3) When reached case is carefully read by assistant; examined as to all matters of 

form ; notes made of all defects and objections. The search is then made to ascertain 
whether tho invention claimed is anticipated by earlier inventions of which the office 
possesses records or knowledge, and in what particulars it is so anticipated. Assist¬ 
ant then submits the case to the examiner, and a letter is prepared embodyino- the 
results of tho examination. ^ 

(4) The letter is copied, tho copy mailed, the original retained in the file-record, the 
action recorded on the books, and the papers put away to await the response of the 
applicant to the letter. 


























































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


335 


(5) When applicant resi)on(is by amendment or letter the communication is incor¬ 
porated with the record by the clerk, further considered by the assistant, taking 
precedence over new cases, and (in cases of doubt or difficulty by the examiner) a sec¬ 
ond letter prepared, or if all objections have been removed the case is prepared 
for allowance. If the objections are not removed the applicant, after one repetition 
of the examiner’s action m matters of form, may petition the Commissioner to reverse 
the examiner’s action ; or, after two refusals on the same grounds to grant a patent, 
may ay)peal to the examiners-in-chief to reverse the action of the primary examiner. 

(0) In case of either petition or appeal, the examiner prepares a statement in writ¬ 
ing of the grounds of his linal action in the case. If his action is overruled or re¬ 
versed, the case is proceeded with as if the objections overruled had not been urged. 
If affirmed, the examiner enforces compliance with requirements. 

(7) When all objections have been removed, in whatsoever way, the examiner 
causes the tiles to be searched to ascertain if any pending application or caveats con- 
llict with the case, and if so, notilies the caveator, or prepares letters notifying both 
applicants or their attorneys of the nature and extent of the interference, and sends 
the cases forward to the examiner of interferences, who ascertains if the issue has 
been clearly defined, and notes upon the letters the date before whicli the preliminary 
statements of both applicants must be filed. From this time, until the termination 
of the interference, the case is in the hands of the examiner of interferences or of his 
subordinates, except in case of suspension, motion to dissolve, or other special reason 
for which the cases are returned to the primary examiner for his determination of 
questions falling within his province. 

(8) Upon the allowance of an application, the case is prepared for issue, the allow¬ 
ance recorded, and the papers sent forward to the issue division, by which the appli¬ 
cant is informed of the allowance of his case and the date of allowance, and notified 
to pay the final fee within the following six months. If he does so within the re¬ 
quired time the specification is jirinted, the drawing reproduced by photolithography, 
the patent prepared and mailed to him, and the issuance thereof, with a brief ex¬ 
planation of the invention, anrounced in the Official Gazette of the date of issue 
of the patent. 

(9) If applicant fails to pay the fee within the six months and the patent is 
forfeited, under R. S., 4885, the papers are so marked, and returned to the examiner 
until such time as the application becomes abandoned by failure to further prosecute 
(R. S., 4894), or is renewed under R. S., 4897. The files and drawings' of all abandoned 
cases and expired caveats are in the care of the chief draughtsman. 

(10) The caveats upon reception in the examiner’s room are examined to ascertain 
if the papers are in proper form, and an intelligible disclosure made of the invention, 
and referred to from time to time to prevent the inadvertent issue of an interfering 
application subsequently filed. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-fifth ex¬ 
amining division of the Patent Office. 

DUTIES OP EXAMINER. 

(1) Preliminary examination and distribution of cases and papers filed therein. 

(*2) Hearing and deciding upon cases examined and reported for his action by as¬ 
sistants. 

(5) Classifying patents and publications. 

(4) Attending to oral arguments and interviews with applicants and attorneys con¬ 
cerning cases pending before him. 

(5) Determining as to the, fact of interference between conflicting applications; 
declaring such interference ; deciding motions to dissolve such interference. 

(G) Answering appeals. 

(7) Reviewing and signing cases prepared for allowance. 

(8) Examining cases personally as time permits. 

(9) General supervision of the work of the division. 

DUTIES OF ASSISTANTS. 

(1) Examining cases as to form and noting all objections thereto. 

(2) Making searches in the classified jiatents and other publications as to the 
novelty of the invention. 

(3) Preparing the letter or the materials therefor announcing the results of the ex¬ 
amination. ^ 

(4) Reporting the same to the principal examiner. 

(5) In the case of the first assistant, performing the duties of the principal examiner 
during his absence. 


336 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


DUTIES OF THE CLERK. 

'(1) Recording applications and caveats received, aud the actions made therein. 

{2) Copying and recording letters from the examiner to the ajiplicant and xirepar- 
ing them for the mail. 

(3) Recording and entering amendments and letters from applicants. 

(4) Arranging and distributing files and drawings of applications ; getting them 
out when needed and restoring them ; stamping files and drawings ; making lists of 
patents, &c. 

(6) Making out the daily, weekly, and monthly reports of the work performed aud 
on hand, and of the attendance of the employes of the division. 


TWENTY-SIXTH DIVISION. 

Report of the twenty-sixth (electricity, B) division, United States Patent Office, on the methods 
of business and work, as requested by Senate select Committee, and called for by Depart¬ 
ment circular of March 13, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-sixth 
division of the Patent Office, Dexiartment of the Interior. 

Examination of applications for patent in the following classes of invention : 
Electricity: 

Generation. 

Motive power. 

Conductors. 

Medical and surgical. 

Special applications. 

.Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the twenty-sixth 
division of the Patent Office,in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning with 
the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing, in conseciitiv'e or¬ 
der, the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters through the 
appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes through whose hands the 
same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, aud the action thereon 
had and taken by each, until the same is finally disjiosed of aud notice thereof duly 
given to the proper jiarty. 

Applications as received from the apidication division are assigned by the jirinci- 
pal examiner to the assistants, to whom they are delivered, after having been re¬ 
corded in a register kept for that purpose; each assistant having charge of xiarticu- 
lar subclasses. 

Cases are taken up for examination in the order of their dates of filing, except un¬ 
der the provisions of Rule 62. 

Examination is made by the assistants, who report to the principal examiner the na¬ 
ture of the cases and the results of their searches before any action is made. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the twenty-sixth division of the Patent Office De¬ 
partment of the Interior : ’ 


Character of business. 

Pending Aug. 

1,1886. 

Received from 
Aug. 1,1886. 

t<-c - 

o'-’ 

bio 

r3 3 

JU ^ 

Pendinjr Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received up 
to Mar. 1, 
1887. 

Disposed of up 
to Mar. 1, 
1887. 

Pending on 
Mar 1,1887. 

Examination of applications for patent. 

152 

1,138 

996 

294 

527 

534 

287 


The figures in the above table embody both “ new” aud ‘^old’^cases ; “ new” si‘^ni- 
fying those cases which have never received action at hands of the examiner and 
“old” being those which have received such action. ’ 



















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


337 


Tho following statement shows tlie average amount and character of business y)er- 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during tho periods specified, by the employes in 
the twenty-sixth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 



Tho following statement shows the average number of employes in the twenty- 
sixth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: ^ 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1886. 








3.6 

4.5 

3.9 

4.1 

4.7 

1887 (to Marcli 1). 

' 4.7 

4.9 


















The above figures indicate principal and assistant examiners ; no account of clerical 
work taken. 


Tho following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employd doing 
the least during the periods specified, in the twenty-sixth division of the Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior ; 

MAXIMUM. 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Examination of ap¬ 
plications for 

patp.nta . 

1886 

1887 








78 

66 

65 

58 

73 

Do 

66 

88 


















MINIMUM. 


Examination o f 
applications for 
patents. 

Tin 

1886 

1887 








11 

22 

24 

24 

18 

31 

37 


















Division XXVI (Electricity, B,) was formed by subdividing the original division 
of electricity (Division XVI) Jnly 20, 1886. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time aud at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employds in the twenty-sixth division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 


Tear. 

Number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
ot days 
present.* 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 


5 

108g 

7 


5 

49g 

7 






*Frora August 1, 1886. 


The clerical force is not included in the above statement. 

4402 INT-22 












































































































338 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to examina¬ 
tion of applications for patents by the employ^ present for the greatest number of 
days, and also the minimum number of days by the employ6 present for the least num- 
of days, in the twenty-sixth division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 



1886 (from 
Aug. 1). 

1887 (to 
March 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

119.5 

58 

Minimum number of days.-. 

98 

42.5 



No account of clerical work is taken in above estimate. 


TWENTY-SEVENTH DIVISION. 

Beport of the tweniy-seventh division, Patent Office, on the methods of business and work, a 

requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 

1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in (Ik^ t weaitN’-seventh 
division of the Patent Office, Department of the Intenoi- 

(1) The organization of the division from classes of inveiifions u ansferred from 
divisions ‘2,8, 13, 15, and 24, which organization involved the i)re]t;nM.tio:i of complete 
records for the division, and the reception, ventication, and ar. angi? z.ear of t he ap¬ 
plications received by transfer. 

(2) From August, 1884, to May, 188.5, the :dassifiea‘ion, exa'nin.tfio i o!‘, and a<t(i(m 
upon, all applications for letters patent for inventions, ami ad iMvea. » I'T i.zveiiiions 
in the classes of: 

(15) Brushing and scrubbing. 

(43) Fishing and trapping. 

(46) Games and toys. 

tSl) Grinding and polishing. 

(68) Laundry. 

(141) Washing apparatus. 

From May 1, 1885, to March 1, 1887, the classdi.-.dio i. --c i ni la idu of and aefion 
upon,all applications for i^atents, and all caveats ia e.o-a .>f i n * ad .ve-iiamed classes, 
except fishing and trapping and games and toys. 

(3) The clerical work required in preparing the new records of the division, such 
as examiner’s registers, the making of listsof the patenlsin i he classes and .subclasses 
constituting the division | obtaining, classifying, and arranging co{)i»‘s of > he jiatcnts 
in such classes and subclasses; the reception, classification, and mitry of all applica¬ 
tions and caveats received; the reception and entry of all amendments in old ap¬ 
plications; preparing and mailing copies of all official letters Avritten in the divis¬ 
ion; recording all actions made by the division; and ])reparing all required reports 
iclative to the condition of the work in the division. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, trans¬ 
acted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed of, at 
the dates specified below in the twenty-seventh div^ision of the Patent Office De¬ 
partment of the Interior : ’ 


Character of business. 

1 Received dur- 
j i n g 18 84 

1 (Aug. 19 to 

1 Dec. 31. 

Disposed of in 
1884 (Aug. 
19 to Dec. 
31). 

Pending dan. 
1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

1 Disposed of in 

i 1885. 

1 

Pending Jan. 
1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

Pending Jan. 
1, 1887. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Disposed of in 
1887 (to Mar. 
1 . 

Pending Mar. 1 
1,1887. ' 

Examination of applications 
for patents: 

New. 

1 , 000 

218 

782 

1, 273 

*1, 761 

294 

906 

1,041 

159 

171 

2C5 

125 

Old. 

Cax’eats. 

514 

45 

412 

45 

100 

102 

2,163 

73 

*2.126 
73 
663 

139 |1, 977 

1 Aa 

2 , 080 
46 
612 

36 

472 

357 

151 

Issues. 





7 

7 

81 

.... 









.... 


jThreo huiulred and ninety-six new applications and 16 amended applicatio ns were transferred to 
othpr m the mpptb of April, 1885. vi ^ ^ lo 






















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


339 


This divibioii was established by Order No. 157, dated August 11,1884. Ils organ¬ 
ization coniinenced August lU, 1884, on which date the first of the transferred classes 
of inventions constituting the divi^on was received. 

Ihe clerical work for 1884 consisted of preparing and mailing copies of 530 office 
letters, entering 1,045 new applications and caveats, enteriug514 amendments received 
in old applications, recording 675 actions made. Also making lists of patents in the 
ditterent classes and subclasses in the division, and obtaining, classifying, and ar¬ 
ranging copies of patents in the different classes and subclasses for the records of the 
division. 

'I ho clerical work for 1885 consisted of preparing and mailing copies of 2,812 office 
letters, entering 1,346 new applications and caveats, entering 2,163 amendments re¬ 
ceived in old applications, recording 3,960 actions made. Also making lists of pat¬ 
ents in the different classes and subclasses in the division, and obtaining, classifying, 
and arranging copies of patents in the different classes and subclasses for the records 
of the division. 

Hie clerical work for 1886 consisted of preparing and mailing copies of 2,509 office 
letters, entering 952 new applications and caveats, entering 1,977 amendments re¬ 
ceived in old applications, recording 3,167 actions made. Also making lists of pat¬ 
ents in the different classes and subclasses in the division, and obtaining, classifying, 
and arranging copies of patents in the different classes and subclasses for the records 
of the division. 

The clerical work for 1887 consisted of preparing and mailing copies of 477 office 
letters, entering 178 new apiilications and caveats, entering 472 amendments received 
in old applications, recording 569 actions made. Also making lists of patents in the 
different classes and subclasses in the division, and obtaining, classifying, and ar¬ 
ranging copies of patents in the different classes and subclasses for the records of 
the division. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business performed, 
traiisacted, and disposed of during the periods specified, by the employes in the 
twenty-seventh division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Average amount transacted during each month. 

Jan. 

Eeb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884.* 













Examination of applica- 
for patents: 

T'.p.w _..._ 








5 

39 

26 

69 

79 

Old . 








5 

75 

94 

94 

144 

riflvpHt.s _...._ 








12 

4 

11 

6 

12 

Tj4.«inpa . 








1 

20 

14 

28 

37 

Clerical work. 









Office letters copied and 
. . . __ 


• 






9 

94 

106 

135 

186 

New applications and ca- 

P.Tl + AT P.fl . ....__ 








537 

128 

143 

105 

132 

Amendments entered in 

nia }ippli<‘.ntioTis_____ 








105 

122 

74 

77 

136 

Offip.M np.t.iona reeorded... 








22 

118 

131 

169 

235 

1885. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patents: 

N ew....... ....... 

93 

78 

232 

t577 

90 

109 

78 

202 

126 

38 

47 

91 

Old. 

120 

164 

219 

213 

155 

107 

180 

290 

262 

186 

94 

136 

r'avpntfl ..._ .... 

12 

18 

11 

7 

4 

3 

4 


6 

5 

2 

1 

7 i^snf'.s____... 

27 

49 

58 

57 

42 

24 

46 

117 

127 

53 

19 

44 

Clerical work. 









OflBce letters copied and 

fiiiiilpd ____ ..... 

186 

193 

393 

321 

203 

192 

212 

375 

261 

171 

122 

183 

New applications and 
r-jivpa.T.M filtered__ _ __ 

159 

194 

248 

156 

84 

93 

74 

39 

65 

77 

83 

74 

Amendments entered in 
nid applir.fltioTis. . .. 

138 

128 

220 

229 

170 

131 

147 

287 

335 

154 

109 

115 

Office actions recorded. .. 

225 

260 

462 

797 

249 

219 

262 

492 

394 

229 

143 

228 

1886. 













Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patents: 

New. 

121 

120 

90 

164 

89 

60 

74 

54 

23 

35 

97 

114 

Old. 

182 

188 

218 

126 

167 

161 

140 

243 

204 

144 

155 

152 

Caveats. 

Issues. 

5 

54 

4 

66 

5 

62 

6 

42 

2 

30 

6 

60 

3 

40 

4 

64 

2 

91 

1 

37 

5 

31 

3 

35 


* Division ojganized in August, 1884. , ^ • • 

t Of the cases acted on in April, 1885, 396 new and 16 old were transterred to other divisions. 










































340 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Character of business. 

Average amount transacted during each month. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Clerical work. 

Office letters copied and 

mailed. 

New applications and 

caveats entered. 

Amendments entered in 

old applications. 

Office actions recorded... 

1887. 

Examination of applica¬ 
tions for patents: 

249 

77 

IGO 

308 

137 

152 

3 

39 

247 

93 

281 

289 

242 

90 

104 

312 

71 

205 

4 

42 

230 

85 

191 

280 

246 

106 

240 

313 

248 

87 

172 

296 

226 

77 

177 

258 

161 

91 

196 

227 

174 

79 

118 

217 

233 

64 

178 

301 

136 

71 

147 

229 

142 

56 

124 

180 

221 

78 

123 

257 

231 

73 

148 

269 

nifl 

































Clerical work. 

Office letters copied and 






• 





New applications and 











Amendments entered in 

nlfl ppp]ir;ntinnft 











Office actions recorded... 






















The following statement shows the nnmber of employes in the twenty-seventh di¬ 
vision of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



The division was organized in August, 1834. 

The number of employes given in the above table is the number actually employed 
during the periods specified. 

The figures in the upper line opposite each year indicate examiners; in the lower 
line, clerks. 

The following statement shows the maximum and minimum amount of business 
transacted and disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the 
least during the periods specified, in the twenty-seventh division of the Patent Office, 
Department of the Interior: 

MAXIMUM. 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Tear. 

Jan. 

Fob. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Examining applica¬ 
tions for patents. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

*1884 

lr85 

1886 

+1887 












t95 

70 

115 

91 

91 

75 

93 

97 

110 

131 

121 

156 

79 

67 

112 

60 

92 

85 

73 

217 

115 

157 

103 

71 

84 

51 

134 













MINIMUM. 


Examining applica¬ 
tions for patents. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

*1884 

1885 

1886 
tl887 












tio 

13 

2 

20 

6 

3 

13 

8 

20 

-5 

8 

7 

2 

4 

5 

5 

5 

10 

4 

10 

13 

3 

3 

3 

4 

5 

21 













* From August 19. tNo reports were required until t te montli of December, 1884. JTo March 1. 






































































































































TIIE EEl^AETMENt OE THE INTERlOlt. 


U1 


Tlio work of the clerical force is not included in the above statement. 

The above statement shows the maximum and minimum number of actions made by 
the employd making the greatest and the one making the least number of actions in 
this division, but it is of no value as a statement showing the amount of work done by 
each, as the ditference in the character of the applications examined correspondingly 
varies the amount of work required in making the examination. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by theemployds in the twenty-seventh division of the Patent Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 



Year. 

/ 


Number 

of 

employes. 

Average 
number 
of (lays 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 

i>.y 

proxy. 

1884 (from August 19) .. 



. s 

() 

2 

8G.9 

83.5 

7 

7 

0 

0 

1885. 




G 

263 

7 

0 




. 1 

2 

2G7 

7 

0 

188G. 



5 

G 

268 

7 

0 




. } 

2 

235 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 



. { 

G 

2 

47.3 

47 

7 

7 

0 

0 


The figures in the upper line opposite each year in the above table indicate em- 
ployds in the examining force ; those in the lower line employds on clerical work. 

The above statement is based upon the numbers of days on Avhich the employds 
were actually on duty in this division. 

It does not include days on which the Department was closed by Executive order, 
leaves of absence, absence on account of sickness, or time in which emidoyds were on 
duty in other divisions. Nor is the additional time outside of regular oflice hours in¬ 
cluded. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days and also the minimum 
number of days devoted to business by the employd y)resent for the least number of 
days in the twenty-seventh division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the j)eriods specified : 



1884 (from 
Aug. 19)). 

1885. 

188G. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days.^ 

108 

88 

282 

275 

284 

2G7 

48 

*18 

Minimum number of days.| 

55 

53 

241 

2G0 

274 

202 

44 

4G 


The figures in the upper line opjmsite each year in the above table indicate exam¬ 
ining applications for patents; those in the lower line clerical work. 


TWENTY-EIGHTH DIVISION. 

Bejyori of the twenty-eighth division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of lusiness 
and work, as requested hy Senate Select Committee and called for by Department circular 
of March 13, IS*)?. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-eighth 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

The examination of and action upon applications for letters patent for invention in 
the following classes: 

(34) Driers; 

(1G8) Farriery; 

(81) Metal-working tools; 

(151) Nut and bolt locks; 

(98) Pneumatics; 

(62) Refrigeration; 

(170) Wind-whe(ds; 

with'the examination and custody of caveats relating to said classes. 































342 


THE department of THE INTERIOR. 


The clerical work of receiving and recording new cases; amending old cases; j 

making lists of patents granted; recording all actions made; making and mailing ' 

copies of all actions not issues; classitication and custody of drawings, photolitho¬ 
graphs and printed specifications. j 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, ^ 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed of, : 
at the dates specified below in the twenty-eighth division of the United States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of 
business. 

Pending Sept. 

1, IbSL 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed ofin 
1884. 

d 

.9 

a 

Ph 

3 . 

^ CO 

.t tc 
® a 

CJ -rl 

w 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

d 

a 

btS 

O CO 

P 

O 

Cl, 

•c ^ 

.i: tc 

o 

r-i 

-9 

c 

V » 

a. 

s 

s 

mCO 

bloc 

P *“-1 

q; 

c; CO 

O 00 

Cj •*- r-i 

Ps 

j Disposed of 

up to Mar. | 

1 1,1887. 1 

fc/X 

.9^' 

'5 - 

R 

Applications: 
Xew. 

333 

338 

147 

524 

1,379 

1, 757 

140 

1, 389 

1,379 

150 

238 

272 

122 

Old. 

92 

373 

411 

54 

2, 940 

2, 922 

72 

2, 312 

2, 315 

00 

450 

443 

70 

Caveats. 


18 

18 


84 

84 

. 

105 

105 


17 

17 



The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes in the 
twenty-eighth division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 


. 


' 

; 



The division was not organized until September, 1884. 

The term employ^ being here and in the following tables understood to signify any 
person whose business is the examination of applications for patent, the numbers given 
indicate the average number of cases of every kind disposed of by each employ<5, but 
are no index of the amount of work done compared with other divisions or individu¬ 
als, because of the different amount of work required in different cases. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the twenty- 
eighth division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr, 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 









4 

4 

4 

4 

1885. 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

G 

0 

G 

1886. 

6 

6 

6 

6 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

5 

5 

6 

1887 (to March 1) .. 

6 

6 

6 




















The numbers in the above table refer to the number of employ(Ss engaged in exam¬ 
ination of applications for patent. Since the organization of the division two clerks 
have been continuously employed. 

Statement showing the maximum and minimum .a.raount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employ^ doing the least during 
the periods specified, in the twenty-eighth division of the Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior.* 

No data are attainable from which a statement for this sheet could be drawn. 
Figures as to the number of cases acted upon would be worthless as an indication of 
the amount of work done, or for purposes of comparison, for the reason that different 


*If no account has been kept of the business performed an<l disposed of by each eniplo.v6 during 
said years or any part or parts thereof, the reasous why such amount has not been kept will be statecl! 

























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


343 


classes of cases are as a rule disposed of by different einployds, and that cases in dif- 
fer»uit classes vary very uinch in the aniount of time and ability required for disposal 
of the same. If the number of cases disposed of is to be taken as an index of the work 
done, the chief of the division would in most cases be convicted of doing less work 
than any of his subordinates. It is impossible to form an accurate comparative esti^ 
mate of the amount of Work done by tlie employes of a given division, without per¬ 
sonal acquaintance w ith the work of the division and the character of the force em¬ 
ployed. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the tw^enty-eighth division of the United States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior: 


Year. 

/ 

Number 
of em¬ 
ployes. 

Average 
number 
of days 
present. 

Average 
number 
of hours 
employed 
daily. 

Number 

by 

proxy. 

1884. 

4 

91 

5.6 

0 

]885. 

5 

280 

6.3 

0 

1886. 

5 

275 

6. 2 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

6 

46^ 

6.8 

0 


The division was not organized till September, 1884. The office was closed in 1885, 
by official order, nine and a half days; in 1886, six and a half days ; in 1887, one day. 

The data in this table are taken from the time reports of those only who were em¬ 
ployed in the division throughout the year. 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to examina¬ 
tion of applications for patents, &c., by the employ^ present for the greatest num¬ 
ber of days, and also the minimum number of days by the employd present for the 
least number of days in the twenty-eighth division of the United States Patent Office, 
Department of the Interior, during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mch. 1). 

Maximum number of days... 

92 

288 

278 

47 

Minimuni Tmmbftr of days..... 

91 

273 

269 

47 



The data in the table are taken from the time reports of those only who were em¬ 
ployed in the division throughout the year. 


TWENTY-NINTH DIVISION. 

Report of the twenty-ninth {wood-worhing) division, United States Patent Office, on the 
methods of business and ivork, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by 
Department circular of March 13, 1887. 

The following statement show's in detail the business in the twenty-ninth division 
of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior; also amount and 
character of,business performed, transacted, and disposed of by employes during 
each month of the years named : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Eeb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 









271 

333 

279 

285 

211 

. 

1887 (tn Mni'ph 11 

423 

325 













































































344 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the number of employes (principal examiner and 
assistants) during each month of the years named: 


Tear. 

J an. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1886. 








6 

7 

7 

7 

7 

/t.n ATarp.h 

9 

8 


















This division was organized August 9, 1886. 


The following statement shows the amount of examinations of applications for pat¬ 
ents transacted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employ^ doing 
the least during each month of the years named: 

MAXIMUM. 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

3886. 








95 

133 

Ill 

85 

67 

1887 (tn Mn.rp.h 1)_ 

117 

108 


















MINIMUM. 


1886. 








3 

25 

32 

26 

12 

1887 (to March 1)_..... 

1 

32 


















The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, and also number of 
days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days 
and employ6 present for the least number of days during the years named : 


Tear. 

Number of 
employes 

Average 
number 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person 
or by proxy. 

Maximum 
number of 
days. 

Minimum 
number of 
days. 

1884. 



7 

In person. 



1885. 



7 

_do. 



1886. 

7 

100.4 

7 

— do. 

144 

42 

1887 (to March 1). 

8 

48 

7 

_do_ 

48 

40 


This division was organized August 9, 18S6. 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the twenty-ninth 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

Examinations of applications for patent in the following classes of invention: 
Carpentry. 

Coopering. 

Wheelwright machines. 

Wood-sawing. 

Wood-turning. 

Wood-working machines. 

Wood-working tools. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below in the twenty-ninth division of the United States 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

Received dnr- 
in g 18 8 6 
(from Aug. 
9). 

1 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

i 

IS 

r.7 

a 

<o 

Ph 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Disposed o f 
in 1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 

Examination of applications for patent. 

1,744 

1,478 

266 

627 

757 

136 


The “new” and “old” applications are included in the-above figures. 




































































































THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


345 


APPLICATION DIVISION. 

lieport of the application division, United Slates Patent OJJice, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circu¬ 
lar of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of husiness received 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on band, pending, and undisposea ^ 
of at the dates specilied below, in the ax)plication division of the United States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior : 


Character of business. 

U 

^ . 

00 

00 
^ iH 

bC 

S.9 

a; 

W 

Disposed of in 

1884. 

Keceived dur¬ 

ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 

1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1880. 

.9 

o 

<VijO 
tn CO 

C rH 

CO 

Q 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1887. 

Disposed of in 

1887. 

1 

Applications. 

39, COO 

39, COO 

41, 053 

41, 053 

41, 331 

41, 331 

7,190 

7,190 



The following statement shows the average amount and character of business })er- 
formed, transacted, and disj)osed of during the j)eriods sx^ecitied, by the emx)loy6s in 
the ai)plication division of the United States Patent Office, Dex)artmeut of the Interior: 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Year. 

Jan. 

Reh. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Applications. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

1884 

1885 

1886 
1887 

3, 724 
3, 377 
3, 570 
3,483 

3,732 
3, 321 
3, C57 
3, 710 

4,192 
3, 901 
4,434 

4,104 
3,701 
3, 915 

4, 028 
3, 584 
3, 389 

2,371 
3,511 
3, 536 

3,253 
3, 29G 
3, 393 

2, 948 
3,060 

3, 072 

2, 883 

3,186 

3, 035 

2, 964 

3, 352 
3, 029 

2, 559 
3.170 

3, 052 

2, 907 

3, 531 
3, 249 













The following statement shows the average number of employ<5s iu the application 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specilied: 



The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the considei'ation and transaction of business during the x^eriods speci¬ 
fied by the employes in the application division of the United State Patent Office, 
Dexiartment of the Interior: 


1 

Year. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average 
No.of hours 
employed 
daily. 


8 

279 

7 


8 

276 

7 


8 

278 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

8 

48 

7 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days, 
in the application division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior, during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 


285 

288 

292 

48 


274 

125 

58 

45 
































































































34G 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


ASSIGNMENT AND COPYING DIVISION. 

Ueport of the oHslgnment and copying division, Patent Office, on ttie methods of business and 

ivork, as reqiusied by Senate Select Cornmittee, and called for by Departmen t circular of 

March 13, 18»7. 

Statement showing the principal items ol‘ business transacted in tlie assignment and 
copying division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

Numbering the letters received in this division and indexing them under the name 
of the writer in a book prepared for that purpose, so that ready reference can be had 
to any letter received. 

Entering in a book prepared for that purpose the name and address of the writer 
of each letter received, a brief statement of the contents of the letter, mentioning 
inclosnres, if there be any; and if any money be marked on the letter as having been 
received by the office, the amount is jdaced in this book of “letters received.’’ 

' After the work has been completed and the letter ready to be liled away, the actions 
made on the letter are entered in this book, thus making a brief record of the letters 
received and actions taken thereon. 

Furnishing data upon each loiter received, ordering copies for the guidance of the 
copyist, i)ricing the cost of work, such as copying, certifying, &c., writing and send¬ 
ing “ cost circulars,” giving cost for making copies and for “abstracts of title,” 
charging the account (of person having a deposit in the office) with amount of fees 
for copies, &c., ordered, and ordering (indorsing the letter to that effect) the copies 
made or abstracts of title furnished, if the fees for the same have been jiaid. 

Estimating the number of w ords in any matter to be copied to ascertain the fees to 
be charged. 

Supervising the making of manuscript copies and the recording of deeds, giving 
out the work, charging copyists with the same, and crediting them with the amount 
of work accomplished upon completion. 

Copying from the tiles, records, and printed publications, in English and foreign 
languages, any matter that may be requested by attorneys and others. 

Comiiaring the copies made with the original, to correct any errors. 

Revising the compared copies to insure accuracy. 

Certifying to manuscript and printed copies of patents, files, records, and printed 
publications in the office. 

Mailing all copies and reviewing all letters ordering same, to ascertain whether the 
order has been properly filled, money paid, and siiriilus remitted. 

Examination of assignments and all instruments in waiting received, to ascertain 
if they be correct for record ; verification of each patent assigned, by name, invention, 
date, and number, wdtli the Official Gazette; and the preparation and assortment of as¬ 
signments preparatory to being placed on the digest of recorded deeds. 

Sending circulars for the fees for recording deeds, and acknowledging receipt of 
deeds for record, stating therein the time when the deeds will be returned recorded. 

Entering the names of assignees on the tile-waappers of applications for patents, 
so that the patent, when granted, will issue to the assignee for his interest. 

Briefing deeds of assignment in the “digest of assignments,” preparatory to mak¬ 
ing abstracts of title therefrom. 

Directing the briefing of assignments, and examining the briefs to insure their ac¬ 
curacy. 

rreparing the deeds for record by attaching the certificate (stating the liber and 
page in w hich the deed is recorded) and placing the seal of the Patent Office thereon. 

Recording, in libers prepared for that purpose, the deeds that are sent to the office 
for record. 

Returning the assignments, after recording the^same, to the persons forwarding 
them for record, the number of the liber and the page on which the deed is recorded 
having been first indorsed in the digest, as also the date of its return, name, and ad¬ 
dress of person to w'hom the same is returned. 

Searching the digest of assignments, to ascertain if any deed be recorded against 
the title of any patent, or a[)plication, so that an abstract of title can be made there- 
fjom ; and estimating the fees required for cojiies of the same. 

Making abstracts of title from the digest, certifying to the same, and keeping a 
record of abstracts furnished, where, wTien, and to* whom sent. 

Answering all correspondence in relation to the deeds of assignment forwarded to 
the office for record, and in relation to the copying of files, records, &c. 

Examining wmekly list of patents, in connection with the digest of recorded deeds, 
so that the patents shall issue to the proper owmers. 

Receiving and caring for the patented files, expired caveats, extension, and appeal 
files, and furnishing the same for inspection to examiners, attorneys, and others that 
may bo entitled to see the same. 

Kei'ping daily, w'eekly, and monthly reports of the time aud wmrk of the employes 
of the division. 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


347 


Tlie following statement shows in detail the nethodsof transaeting hnsiness in the 
assignment and copying division of the Patent Office, in the Department of the In¬ 
terior, including 0116 or more items of the princi])al business matters transacted in 
said division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the oltice, and 
then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such juincipal 
business matters through tlie appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes 
through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, 
and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and 
notice thereof duly given to the proper jiarry. 

All mail addressed to the Commissioner of Patents is received in the room of the 
financial clerk, where it is opened and assorted, money that may be inclosed is taken 
out, and each amount plainly marked with blue pencil on a corner of the letter in¬ 
closing the same. 

The mail is then forwarded to the mail room, where each letter is stamped with the 
date of its reception and given a number by which it maybe identified, entered under 
the name of the writer, and charged to one of the divisions of the office. 

Letters requesting certified or manuscript copies of any file, record, or printed pub¬ 
lication in this office, abstracts of title of a patent or application, or inclosing an 
assignment for record, are charged and forwarded to division D, the assignment and 
copying division. 

IJpou arrival in this division, each letter is again stamped and given a new number, 
and thereafter it is known and designated by this “ division number”—as “ Letter 
No. 2625 D, ’87.” 

The letter is indexed under the name of the writer, so that ready reference may be 
had to all letters written by any person or firm, and also entered in a book entitled 
“ Letters Received,” giving name and address of iierson or firm forwarding the let¬ 
ter, a brief statement as to the contents, mentioning any inclosures and the amount 
of money marked thereon. 

They are then distributed—those requesting copies to the “data desk” and those 
inclosing assignments, &c., for record to another desk, to be prepared for recording. 

The clerk having in charge the letters requesting copies, after ascertaining what 
coi)y is desired, procures the original and has the number of words estimated, so as to 
eletermine the cost for making copy. 

When the amount of fees is ascertained an indorsement is made on the letter or¬ 
dering the copy to be made, if the money has been received by the office, or, if the per¬ 
son ordering it has an account with the office, the amount is charged to that account, 
and the letter accompanying the original to be copied is taken to the clerk having 
charge of the copyists. 

Should there be no money forwarded to pay for the copies a “cost circular” is sent 
to the parties requesting same, stating that the copies desired will be furnished upon 

the receipt of the fee, and the letter being indorsed “ Cost circular for $ -, sent 

Mch. 1, ’87” (for example), it is placed with the “incomplete letters,” to await the 
return of the circular. 

Upon its return, with the money marked thereon as having been received by the 
financial clerk, the original letter requesting the copy is taken from the file of inconi- 
pete letters, cross references by numbers are made on each of the letters, the copy is 
ordered on the back of the returned circular, and both letters are forwarded to the 
clerk having the copyists in charge. 

This clerk enters in a register the number and date of the letter, the person’s name 
requesting the copy, the title of the matter to be copied, and the number of words 
contained in the same, and in the regular order of its reception the matter is given to 
the copyist to be copied, being charged to the copyist in this register. 

The copyist, having completed the work called for, refers the same, with the origi¬ 
nal, to the comparers, who compare the same, and if any errors appear in the copy 
they are corrected, and the initials of the comparers are affixed to the same, denoting 
that they have compared the work and found it correct. 

The copy is then revised to insure accuracy, returned to the clerk having the dis¬ 
tribution of coi)ies in charge, who checks the same off the register as having been 
completed, giving the date of completion, and crediting the copyist with the number 
of words written. 

The copy is then ready for mailing, if a certified copy is not desired. 

If a certified copy is requested, a certificate is made that the copy annexed is a true 
c(q)y from the files, records, or printed publications in this office, of specification, or 
file and contents of a i)ateut or application, giving name, date, title of invention, &c. 

This certificate is signed by the Commissioner or Acting Commissioner, attached to 
the copy with eyelets, ribbons, &c,, and the seal of the Patent Office is stamped on 
the certificate, and the certified copy is then ready to be mailed. 

After mailing the copy the letter is examined to ascertain if the order has been 
properly filled, and the proper amount paid or charged to account, and if there re¬ 
mains any balance the same is remitted, and the letter is then checked off in the book 
“Letters Received,” noting the actions taken thereon, thus having a brief history of 



348 


THU HEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


tbe order, and the letter is then put away in the files, in numerical order, so thaf. it 
may be readily referred to if occasion requires. 

Letters requesting abstracts of title of patents or apjilications are, after their entry 
in the index and “Letters Received,” sent to the clerk who searches the records to 
ascertain, if there be any deeds recorded under the particular patent or apf)lication 
mentioned in the letter, and a brief of the search is made upon tlie back of t he letter 
showing the number of the pages in the digest where the abstracts ol title ot the pat¬ 
ent or application may be found. 

The cost of the abstract is ascertained by the number of deeds found recorded, and 
a cost circular is sent to the party recpiesting abstract, stating that the same will be 
forwarded upon receipt of the legal fee. 

An indorsement of this action is made upon the letter, and it is placed anioug the 
“incomplete letters” to await further action on the part of the person desiring the 
abstract of title. 

When the “cost circular” is returned to this division, with the money marked on 
the same as having been received, the same action is taken in this matter as bel'ore 
explained in regard to orders for copies, the proper indorsements are made on the 
letters, and they are sent to the clerk who makes “abstracts of title.” 

A certified or uncertified transcript of the “ Digest of Assignments” relating to the 
particular patent or ap]>lication requested is then made, and if a certified abstract is 
requested a certificate is made that the annexed is a true copy from the digest of this 
office of all assignments, agreements, licenses, powers of attorney, and other instru¬ 
ments of writing found of record ui) to and including date under or relating to let¬ 
ters patent granted, or pending application, giving name, date, and number and title 
of invention of the patent or of the application. 

This certificate is signed by the Commissioner or Acting Commissioner; all the 
pa^iers are attached by eyelets, ribbons, &c,, and the seal of the Patent Office is af¬ 
fixed thereto. 

The abstract is then ready for mailing, but before this is done a record is made of 
the “abstracts furnished” in a book of that title, stating to whom, where, and when 
each abstract has been sent and the number of the letter upon which the same was 
ordered, and then the letter is “ checked otf,” and the same course of examination is 
pursued as with a letter ordering copies. 

A letter inclosing an instrument of writing to be recorded is entered as before ex¬ 
plained, and the letter with the deed inclosed is taken by a clerk, who prepares the 
deed for record. 

The deed is stamped with the date of its reception, the initial letter of the invent¬ 
or’s name is placed thereon ; it is examined to ascertain if there be any informality 
therein, verified with the Official Gazette as to the name of the inventor, date, and 
number of the patent and title of the invention, for the purpose of digesting all in¬ 
struments of writing under the name of the inventor. 

The letter is indorsed (for example), “ Record ordered Mch. 1, ’87. 1 deed. Cost 

$ -. Paid,” and the initial letter of the inventor’s name is placed upon the letter 

for the jiurpose of ready reference to the same. 

If no money is received with the letter, or if the party requesting the record has 
not a standing account with the office, or if a sufficient amount has not been re¬ 
ceived to pay the fee for recording, a circular is sent calling for the legal fee, and 
the letter with the deed inclosed is withheld from the record with “ incomplete Itit- 
ters,” until the proper fee is received by the office. 

Upon the return of this circular with the fee for recording, the original letter in¬ 
closing the deed is taken from the “incomplete letters,” and the deed is forwarded 
to record, as before stated. 

The deeds relating to pending applications are taken by a clerk, who indorses the 
assignee’s name on the file-wrapper of the application to which the deed refers for 
the proportion assigned, so as to denote to whom the patent shall issue when granted. 

In order to do this the application has to be found'by the nature of the invention 
recited in the deed in one of the twenty-nine examiner’s rooms, or in any other part 
of the office where the “file ” may be. 

Upon finding the “ file” it is carefully compared with the identification set forth 
in the deed, and if the deed and the application agree in this respect the assignee’s 
name is indorsed on the file-wrapper for the proportion of the interest assigned. 

The deed is marked “ entered,” and is then returned to the clerk who prepares it 
for the digest. 

The deeds are then ready for digesting in the “Digest of Assignments.” 

Clerks on this work make a brief of each deed, and enter the same in this digest, 
indexed under the name of the inventor, giving the assignor’s and the assignee’s 
name, date of the instrument, date of recording the same, the title of the invention, 
date and number of the patent or application, if the same bo given, and if not, such 
other identification as may be furnished in the deed. 

This entry and the deeds are then examined to insure their accuracy, and for¬ 
warded to the clerk having the copyists in charge, in order to have them recorded. 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


349 


The deeds are then given out to the copyists to be recorded in boohs entitled 

Transfers of Patents/’ each copyist being charged with the number of deeds re¬ 
ceived by them, and upon their return are credited with them, and the number of words 
liaving been estimated, corresponding credit is given to the copyists for the same. 

The record and the deeds are then compared and revised, the same as before ex- 
I)lained relative to copies, and are then ready for return to the persons from whom 
they are received. 

A certificate is attached to each deed, over the signature of the Commissioner, cer¬ 
tifying that “the annexed deed is recorded,” and stating in what liber and page of 
same the record may be found. 

Before returning the deed an entry is made in the -digest, opposite the brief of the 
deed, stating where the record of this deed may bo found, when, and to what address 
, the deed is returned. 

A weekly list of x>atents about to be issued is furnished this division by the issue 
and Gazette division, giving the number of jiatent, name of the inventor, and title 
of invention, and the digest is examined to ascertain if any of these cases have been 
assigned, or if there be any errors in the indorsements of the assignees’ names, and if 
any corrections are to be made, the file is called from the issue division, and the 
correction made, so that the jiatent shall issue to the proper owner or owners. 

The patented files, dead or expired caveats, appeal and extension files, are sent to 
this division for filing and safe keeping, and the patented files are stored in boxes, 
numerically, so that examiners, attorneys, and'others desiring the same for inspec¬ 
tion can be readily furnished with the particular file reque.sted. 

Should any irregularity occur in any deed, copy, or letter received, and correspond¬ 
ence be required upon these subjects, this correspondence, as well as the-general 
supervision of the entire work of the division, is done by the chief and assistant chief 
thereof. 


The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the assignment and copying division of the Patent 
Oihce, Department of the Interior : 


1 

Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1. 1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Pending a t 
close of 1885. 


2, 922 

17, 538 

19, 964 

9, 065, 611 
10, 868, 729 
25, 905 
3,716 
4,193 
1, 421 
3, 8.53 
975 
1,652 
20, 060, 360 

496 

18, 341 

17, 808 

7,741,064 
13, 046, 250 
26, C04 
2, 902 
4, 801 
1, 455 
4, 640 
1,154 
1,830 
21, 303, 894 

1,029 

Assijmments—number of words re- 


455, 500 

10,650,029 
25, 905 

237,3C0 

13,100, 350 
26, 604 

291,400 


T writ,f,An Qnrl mnilAfl _ . 








































T>otont -filAQ TAnAlVA.fl __ 

330, 584 

24, 395 

354, 979 

28, 033 



104, 285 

135, 945 








Character of business. 

d 

rH 

OJ 

Ph 

u 

^ . 

CD 

£2 

to 

c; ri 

o 

pH 

.9 

o 

o 

S; 

CO 

O r-l 
ft 

at 

P 

9 

cs 

bt» 

2 rH 

a> 

Ph 

53 . 

^ CO 

bJD 

S.2 

p 

.9 

5*-l 

0 

0) bo 
m CO 

0 iH 
ft 

CC 

• pH 

Q 

S 

3 . 

•9 

^r-T 

5 

P 


3,029 

18, 538 

18, 700 

8, 639, 091 
11, 947,360 
26, 572 
2, 276 
4, 225 
1,419 
4, 098 
1,194 
1,460 
21, 343, 001 

867 

'3.5i,’466 

3,185 

’ 2 ," 54 8,'950 
4, 689 

3,424 

1, 361, 500 

2,404, 550 
4, 689 
451 
84 J 
298 
764 
165 
175 

3, 765,650 

628 

Assisnineuts—num her ot words re- 


291, 400 

12,007, 360 
26, 572 

495, 800 











































383, 012 

26, 077 

409, 089 

3,468 


Files furnished for inspection. 

154,622 

21,975 










































































































350 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 

4 


The followiug statement sliows the average number of words written, during the 
periods specified, by the employes in the assignment and coiiying division of the 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior : 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

1884.. 

1885 . 

1886 . 

62, 487 

51, 236 

52, 459 
41,917 

56, 504 
34.198 
46, 238 
41. 764 

57, 711 
33, 543 
66, 607 

.55, 994 
43,799 
81, 752 

69, 235 
47, 316 
69, 893 

70. 352 
47, 877 
63, 914 

25, 346 
38, 221 
57, 216 

32,171 

40, 567 

41, 699 

37,011 

45, 306 

46, 835 

39,161 
43, 847 
46, 932 

39, 345 
47, 739 
37, 061 

33, 262 
41,003 
33,792 








1 




The above averages have been computed on the work of thirty-seven employ6s 
only, employed in recording assignments and writing “ manuscript copies,” as no indi¬ 
vidual record has been kept of the amount of work done by clerks upon current Avork- 


The following statement shows the average number of employes on the roll in the 
assignment and copying division of-the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, dur¬ 
ing the periods specified: 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

1884.!. 

73 

74 

73 

74 

75 

76 

79 

97 

98 

96 

93 

1885. 

91 

93 

95 

99 

99 

99 

98 

100 

90 

90 

93 

1886 . 

96 

90 

88 

83 

86 

88 

86 

94 

103 

103 

99 

1887 (td Mareli 1)_ 

101 

99 


1 





. 




The following statement shows the average number of employes in attendance in 
the assignment and copying division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Ajir. 

May. 

June. 

J uly. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Not. 

Dec. 

1884. 

63 

67 

64 

64 

62 

52 

62 

64 

61 

75 

69 

61 

1885.,. 

71 

74 

74 

71 

74 

53 

68 

59 

56 

62 

72 

62 

1886. 

76 

70 

69 

68 

72 

72 

68 

75 

74 

7S 

74 

72 

1887 (to March 1). 

88 

91 
















/ 









The difference in the averages of the number in attendance as compared with the 
number on the roll, is due to leaves of absence, sickness, and the detachment of clerks 
temporarily from this division to work elsewhere in the office. 


The followiug statement shows the maximum and minimum daily average number 
of words written by copyists doing the most and the least, during the i>eriods speci¬ 
fied, in the assfgnment and copying division of the Patent Office, Department of the 
Interior: 

MAXIMUM. 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

\ 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

1884. 

4, .534 
.5, 555 
4,175 
4, 643 

5, 018 
4, 509 

3, 510 

4, 720 

4,430 
4, 305 
4,167 

5,419 
5, 077 
.3, 915 

3, 842 

4, 443 
3, 767 

4, 300 
4, 741 
4, 204 

4, 034 
4,310 
3, 642 

4, 272 

4, 616 

5, 007 

4, 550 
.5,174 
3, 272 

4, 230 
5,467 
4, 212 

4, 500 
4, 964 

3, 900 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887(to Mar.l) 











MINIMUM. 


1884. 

1,149 

861 

1, 331 

2, 004 

1, 209 

2, 050 
1,443 
750 

2,172 

400 

1, 247 
805 
315 

945 
1, 366 
600 

1, 041 
800 
1,000 

628 

878 

452 

1,125 
1,085 
1,162 

1885. 

i;050 
1,782 
1, 000 

463 

830 

668 

800 

1886. 

1,603 

1,010 

1, 000 

1,809 

1,097 

1,245 

1887 (to Mar.l) 













































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


351 


The niiuiuiuni daily averages given above were made, in almost every case, by 
copyists who had only been in the division a few days, and were consequently inex- 
lierienced. 

Both averages have been made for thirty-seven employes only, as that is the aver¬ 
age force employed for the time in making manuscript copies and in recording assign¬ 
ments. 

The other employes of the division being engaged on current work, depending on 
the number of letters, deeds for record, &c., as may be received in each day’s mail, 
the amount of work can only be shown in the aggregate, as shown in another part of 
the report. (See page 349). 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the assignment and copying division of the Patent Office, 
Department of the Interior; 


Year. 

. • 

No. of 
emp]oy6s. 

Average 
No. of days 
pressent. 

Aveiage 
No. of 
hour.s em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

No. of 
working 
days. 

1884 . 

69 

252.3 

6.30 

Noiie. 

306 

1885. 

83 

249.3 

0.30 

None. 

302 

1886. 

88 

246. 2 

6 30 

None. 

304 

1887 (to March 1) . 

86 

42.7 

6. 30 

None. 

48 


f 


The above averages are small on account of the number of days lost to this divis¬ 
ion by persons who were assigned late in the month or transferred from the division 
during the month. - 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the emjiloy^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the assignment and copying division of the Patent Office, Department of the Inte¬ 
rior, during the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

276 

298f 

299^ 

48 

Minimum number of days... 

188 

190 

224 

6 


ATTORNEYS’ ROOM. 

llex)ort of the attorneys’ room, Patent Office, on the methods of husiness and work, as requested 
by Senate Select Committee and ealled for by Deiyartment circular of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employe present for the 
greatest number of days and employ^ present for the least number of days: 


Year. 

Average 
No. of days. 

Honrs 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 


272 

7 

292 

241 


276 

7 

284 

270 


289 

7 

300 

267 

1887 (to March 1)... 

42 

7 

42 

42 


Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the attorneys^ room 
of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 

Distributing orders for files and drawings in the different divisions. 

Collecting files and drawings and bringing them to attorneys’ room. 

Returning same to the divisions from which they were collected. 




















































352 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the attorneys’ 
room of the Patent Office in the Department of the Interior, including one or more 
items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, beginning w'ith 
the receipt of the business matter in the office, and then showing in consecutive 
order the various steps taken by each of such principal business matters through 
the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employ6s through whose hands the 
same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon 
had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof 
duly given to the proper party: 

The force of the attorneys’ room comprises one clerk, who has general supervision 
and charge, and two messengers. 

The business transacted by the employes in the attorneys’ room consists in receiv¬ 
ing the written orders of patent attorneys for files and drawings of applications for 
patents on file in the Patent Office, transmitting them to the different divisions of 
the office, collecting the cases ordered, and bringing them to the attorneys’ room, 
where they are distributed. 

After cases have been examined by attorneys they are returned to the divisions 
from which they were collected. 

The number of cases collected and returned will average two hundred daily. 

In addition to the above there are distributed to those ordering theln about three 
hundred copies, daily, of drawings of patented inventions, termed “references.” 

The following statement shows the average number of employes in the attorneys’ 
room of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified: 



The character of business performed makes it unnecessary to furnish a statement 
showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and disposed of 
by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during the periods 
specified, in the attorneys’ room, of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the attorneys’ room of the Patent Office, Department of 
the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. of 
employes. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average 
No. of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

1884. 

3 

272 

7 

1885. 

3 

276 

7 

1886. 

3 

289 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

3 

42 

7 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ6 present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum 
number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of 
days in the attorneys’ room of the the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during 
the periods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

^2 

241 

284 

270 

300 

267 

42 

12 

Minimum number of days. 
























































353 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

CHIEF CLERKS DIVISION. 

I 

Mejyovt of the chief cleric's division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of husiness 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee and called for bu Department circular 
of March 2S, 1887. 

Tho following statement sliows tlie amount and cliaracter of business received? 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on baud, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the chief clerk’s division of the Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

Pending Jan. 

1, 1884. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

S 

Wgg 

.2^ 

O) 

(k 

1 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 

1885. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

Received up to 

Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 

to Mar. 1,1887. 

Daily excuse slips. 

Daily reports. 

Weekly reports. 

Monthly reports . i. 

Applications for leave.... 
Coupon books. 

. 

1,496 

702 

6, 522 
8, 582 
2, 392 
356 
1,572 
3,213 
64, 500 

6, 522 
8, 582 

2, 392 
356 

1,572 

3, 280 
59, 813 

8, 879 

229 
5, 073 

7, 594 

8, 364 
2, 392 

356 
1,573 
1, 404 
37, 927 

7, 594 

8, 364 
2, 392 

356 

1,573 

1, 553 
43, 000 

8, 036 

10,127 
8, 564 
2, 392 
356 
1,782 

10,127 
8,564 
2, 392 
356 
1, 782 

1,102 

1,440 
368 
64 
165 

1,102 

1,440 

368 

64 

165 

Coupon sheets. 





Letters written. 


9,337 


1, 720 









The following statement shows the* average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of, during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the chief clerk’s division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior : 


Average amount transacted during each month. 


Character of business. 


1884. 

Daily reports. 

Weekly reports.. 

Monthly reports. 

Applications for leave... 

Coupon books. 

Coupon sheets. 

Letters written. 

1885. 

Daily reports. 

Weekly reports. 

Monthly reports. 

Applications for leave.... 

Coupon books. 

Coupon sheets. 

Letters written. 

188C. 

Daily reports. 

Weekly reports. 

Monthly reports... 

A])plication8 for leave.... 
Letters written. 

1887. 

Daily reports. 

Weekly reports. 

Monthly reports. 

Applications for leave... 
Letters written. 


Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

650 

600 

650 

6.50 

650 

625 

650 

650 

625 

729 

648 

702 

230 

184 

184 

184 

230 

184 

184 

230 

184 

230 

184 

184 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

17 

56 

71 

85 

107 

101 

121 

197 

1.56 

194 

163 

204 

296 

355 

306 

353 

293 

235 

238 

257 

216 

273 

187 

271 

6, 221 

6, 391 

6,774 

6, 535 

4, 803 

4,129 

4, 080 

4, 580 

4, 076 

4, 900 

3, 504 

3, 820 

708 

706 

750 

711 

656 

559 

781 

785 

828 

928 

759 

708 

682 

594 

648 

728 

700 

728 

728 

700 

728 

756 

672 

700 

230 

184 

184 

184 

230 

184 

184 

230 

184 

230 

184 

184 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

70 

78 

95 

72 

95 

69 

161 

197 

183 

203 

135 

215 

194 

159 

220 

280 

700 








5 059 

7 620 

9 619 

19 760 

43 000 








*831 

650 

'870 

'764 

566 

699 

627 

573 

596 

714 

579 

559 

700 

664 

756 

728 

700 

728 

739 

756 

806 

806 

744 

806 

230 

184 

184 

184 

230 

184 

184 

230 

230 

184 

184 

184 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

32 

74 

93 

103 

96 

94 

104 

160 

227 

197 

202 

184 

284 

669 

693 

744 

773 

759 

761 

782 

878 

798 

884 

795 

801 

7.50 

690 











230 

184 











32 

32 











82 

83 











888 

807 






















4402 INI- 23 

































































































354 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The iollowiug statement shows the average number of employes in the chief clerk’s 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 



The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified, by the employes in the chief clerk’s division of the United States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior: 


Year. 

No. of 
employ 68. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

A verage 
No. of 
hours em¬ 
ploy ed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

1884.. 

5 

193 

7 

0 

1885. 

5 

164 

7 

0 

1886 . 

6 

291 

7 

0 

1887 (to March 1). 

7 

42 

7 

0 





The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days 
in the chief clerk’s division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior, during the periods specified; 


' 

1884. 

1885. 

1886 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Maximum number of days. 

290 

280 

298 

48 

Minimum number of days. 

125 

34 

211 

46 


EXAMINERS’-IN-CHIEF DIVISION. 

Report of the examiners^-in-chief division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of 
business and work, as requested bij Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department 
circular of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undis¬ 
posed of, at the dates specified below, in the division of the examiners-in-chief, in 
the United States Patent Office, Interior Deiiartment: 








































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 355 

Statement abowiiig the principal items of business transacted by the examiners’-in- 

cbief division of the U. S. Patent Office. 

The accompanying statement, showing the amount and character of the business re¬ 
ceived, transacted, disposed of, pending, &c., will suggest the principal items of busi¬ 
ness transacted in this division : 

The three examiners-in-chief constitute a board of appeals, who sit together to 
“ revise and determine upon the validity of the adverse decisions of examiners upon 
applications for patents, and for reissues of patents, and in interference cases, on the 
written petitions of the appellants,” as per section 482, Revised Statutes. Their func¬ 
tions are purely judicial, and cases coming to them are duly placed on a docket in the 
order of their reception by the board and are asvsigued for hearing and oral argument 
in the same order. 

It is the present practice of the board to assign from four to six ex-parte cases for 
hearing each day, except on such days as interference cases are heard, and on Satur¬ 
days, Avhich latter are reserved for clearing-up days. The interference cases now av¬ 
erage about two per week, and only one is assigned for hearing on any one day. 
These cases often require the examination of a large mass of testimony, and necessa¬ 
rily occupy much time both in argument and in decision. 

Frequently motions are made, argued, and determined, to postpone, or rehear, or 
dissolve interferences on grounds involving the merits of the cases, and many matters 
and questions are now referred to the board by order of the Commissioner for exami¬ 
nation and report upon intricate questions of practice, under the provisions of sec¬ 
tion 482, Revised Statutes. 

Tlie decisions of the board upon all matters thus brought before it and acted on are 
written out and signed by all the members thereof, or a majority concurring, and type¬ 
written for the files, and also recorded in books provided for the purpose. 

The board has a head clerk, who attends to the reception and docketing of all cases 
.as received, the preparing and sending out of all notices of hearings, postponements, 
decisions, and accounts on motions, and to the preparation of cases for hearing on the 
day of argument, and the collection of the patents, publications, authorities and mod¬ 
els cited as references to bo used during the argument; in short, all the general cur¬ 
rent duties of a clerk in such position. 

One copying clerk (type-writer), .and one manuscript copying and recording clerk are 
.also employed, and one messenger, whose duties are such as pertain to those positions. 
No account from which a monthly average of work done, or a maximum and mini¬ 
mum statement, as per schedule A, could be prepared has ever been kept, said work 
being currently performed under the immediate direction of the board in accordance 
with the exigencies of the work in hand. The time reu ort of the department shows 
the maximum aud minimum attendance of the clerical force, an abstract from which 
is furnished herewith. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business, .and .also number of 
days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days aud 
employd present for the least number of days during the years named : 


Year. 

Average 
No. of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884 . 

306 

7 

In person... 

276 

267 

1885 . 

301 

7 

271 

268 

1886 . 

305 

7 


275 

275 

(i{\ 1^ _ _ 

48 

7 


48 

44 





The board has been in session on all days when the office has been open for busi¬ 
ness during the several years mentioned. No time report has been kept, except for 
the clerical force, from which the above maximum aud minimum statement has been 
compiled. 


DRAFTSMAN’S DIVISION. 

lieport of the draftsman's division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by IJejmrtment circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the i)rincipal items of business transacted in the draftsman's di¬ 
vision of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

MECHANICAL DRAFTING. 

1. Examination of drawings of all applications for p.atents filed as to their con 
formity to office rules, accepting or rejecting them, and designating informalities, 






















35G 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


2. Estimating cost of making drawings to complete applications and cost of trac 
ings. 

3. Making drawings and tracings. 

. 4. Retouching and correcting drawings for reproduction. 

DRAWINGS. 

1. Custody of original drawings of patents, reissues, designs, and trademarks, re¬ 
jected, abandoned, and forfeited cases, and of applications passed for issue which are 
awaiting payment of final Government fees. 

2. Classification and distribution of drawings and reproductions. 

3. Selection of references cited by examiners in applications for iiatents. 

4. Selection of drawings for weekly issues of patents. 

5. Record of classes of inventions by classes and subclasses. 

6. Examination of proof copies of photoliihographs of drawings and the record 
thereof. 

7. Selection and arrangement of copies of patents by classes and subclasses of in¬ 
ventions for bound volumes. 

8. Selection of printed cojiies of patents for foreign countries in exchange for simi¬ 
lar publications. 

LETTERS. 

Recording, indexing, and furnishing the data upon all letters pertaining to the di¬ 
vision, including orders for copies of jiatents, drawings, and tracing; estimates of 
classes of inventions, subscription for copies of patents; dates and numbers of pat¬ 
ents, names of inventors, dates of renewals and extensions; filing of rejected and 
abandoned cases; cost of copies, tracings, drawings, coupons, &c. 

PASTING AND FOLDING. 

1. Attaching copies of the drawings to specifications of current and back issues of 
patents, designs, trademarks, &c. 

2. Mounting and trimming drawings of foreign patents. 

3. Mounting photolithographs for office folios. 

4. Attacking claims to drawings and photolithographs. 

5. Repairing, mounting, and restoring drawings and bound volumes. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

The miscellaneous duties of the division cover a variety of work requiring a 
thorough knowledge of nearly every branch of office and the cooperation thereof. 
These duties, though varied and important, cannot be classified under specific heads. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the draftsman’s division of the United States Patent 
Ofl&ce, Department of the In terior : 


Character of business. 

d 

a 

aoo 
.2 ^ 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

tw 

O 

'd rj! 

O QO 
® 00 

G> 

CO 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

Drawings, applications examined. 

Orders received and drawings made. 

Drawings mailed.... 

23 

39, 669 

1, 049 
851 

20, 822 
5, 645 

30, 669 
987 
851 

20, 822 
5, 645 
828, 415 
648 
29, 530 
28, 530 
37, 338 
19, 469 
45, 471 
626 
14, 703 
45, 745 
11,607 
205, 770 

'62' 

41, 053 
1,172 
867 
22, 923 

6, 229 

41, 053 
1,112 
867 
22, 923 
6, 229 
1, 013,377 
843 

35, 262 
34, 691 
38, 240 

36, 315 
54, 706 

337 
38, 978 
44,410 
14, 545 
239,162 

Letters received, recorded, indexed, &c. 

Letters answered by circular and written. 

Copies selected, mailed and delivered. 


Tracings, orders received and completed. 

Sets reproductions received, banded, &c. 

Proofs examined, drawings classified.. 

Sets specifications received, banded, &c. 

Sets copies pasted and folded.. 

Claims attached to drawings and photographs. 

Drawings and volumes restored. 

Foreign patents and photographs mounted. 

File wrappers i^asted and folded. . 

Drawings rejected and abandoned cases received_ 

Coupons received and recorded. 

18 

695 
29, 530 
28, 530 
37, 338 
19, 469 
45, 471 
626 
14,703 
45, 745 
11, 607 
205, 770 

18 

882 
35, 262 
34, 691 
38, 240 
36,315 
54, 706 
337 
38, 978 
44, 410 
14,545 
239,162 


•4^ • 

^ t 

p 2 
® .2 
Ph 


60 


'*39 







































THE HEPAUTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


357 


Character of business. 


Drawings, applications examined. 

Orders received and drawings made.. 

Drawings mailed. 

Letters received, recorded, indexed, &c..... 

Letters answered by circular and written. 

Copies selected, mailed and delivered. 

Tracings, orders received and completed.. 

Sets repr oductions, received, banded, &c.. 

Proofs examined, drawings classified. 

Sets specifications, received, banded, &c.. 

Sets «-opies pasted and folded. 

Claims attached to drawings and photographs... 

Drawings and volumes restored. 

File wrappers pasted and folded. 

Drawings, rejected and abandoned cases received 

Coupons received and recorded .. 

Foreign patents and photographs mounted. 


Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Keceived dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1880. 

d 

a 

^ CD 

Kf CO 

of.cc 

P 

a? 

P- 

Received up to 

Mar. 1,1887. 

Disposed of up 

to Mar. 1,1887. 

Pending Mar. 

1,1887. 


41, 331 

41,331 


7,190 

7,190 


60 

1, 394 

1,295 

99 

346 

193 

143 


806 

800 

.... 

122 

122 

• . • • 


23, 803 

23, 803 

.... 

4,282 

4, 282 

.... 


6, 882 

6, 882 
1, 067, 807 
802 

.... 

1,269 
155, 139 
186 

1,269 
155,139 
139 

.... 

39 

888 

26 

47 


33,854 

33, 854 

. . - . 

4,773 

4, 773 

.... 


33, 636 

33, 630 


4, 838 

4, 838 

.... 


24, 006 

24, 066 

.... 

3, 433 

3, 433 

. • . • 


34, 092 

34, 092 


4, 932 

4, 932 

.... 


65,610 

65,610 

. - . 

3, 090 

3, 090 

• • • • 


1,431 

1,431 


75 

75 

. . • • 


46, 650 

46, 050 


10, 984 

10, 984 

• • • • 


14,162 

14,162 

... 

7, 9,50 

7, 950 

. . • • 


244,805 

1 244,865 

.... 

3, 375 

3, 375 

. . . • 


38, 539 

1 38,539 

.... 

43, 565 

43, 565 

.... 


The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specihed, by the employes in 
the draftsman’s division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Inte¬ 
rior : 


Character of business, 
and year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

• 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Drawings examined: 













1884. 

3, 724 

3,732 

4,192 

4,104 

4, 028 

2, 371 

3, 253 

2, 948 

2, 883 

2, 964 

2, 559 

2, 907 

1885. 

3, 377 

3, 321 

3, 901 

3, 761 

3, 587 

3,511 

3, 296 

3, 060 

3,186 

8, 352 

3,170 

3, -531 

1886. 

3, 570 

3, 657 

4, 434 

3, 915 

3, 389 

3, 536 

3, 393 

3, 072 

3, 035 

3, 029 

3, 052 

3, 249 

1887 

3,483 

3, 710 











Drawings made: 











1884. 

93 

96 

99 

131 

127 

21 

94 

61 

67 

97 

38 

63 

1885.. 

106 

85 

91 

140 

95 

112 

109 

77 

76 

81 

68 

72 

1886. 

82 

104 

136 

162 

108 

118 

143 

77 

96 

92 

89 

88 

1887 

126 

67 











Drawings mailed: 












1884... 

79 

70 

77 

115 

100 

87 

77 

51 

50 

66 

28 

51 

1885. 

90 

60 

43 

101 

87 

73 

92 

58 

76 

57 

59 

61 

1886. 

64 

72 

72 

83 

67 

73 

92 

42 

64 

60 

55 

62 

1887 

81 

41 











Letters received: 











1884. 

2, 203 

2,148 

2,163 

1, 869 

1,816 

1,481 

1,513 

1, 620 

1,467 

1, 529 

1,341 

1, 672 

1885. 

1,848 

1, 804 

2, 309 

2, 046 

1, 887 

1,911 

1,752 

1,791 

1, 806 

1,990 

1,907 

1,870 

1886. 

2, 048 

2. 023 

2, 400 

1,972 

1, 817 

1,904 

2, 227 

1,803 

1,824 

1, 816 

1, 929 

2,040 

1 

2,122 

2,160 











Letters answered: 











1884. 

489 

534 

555 

505 

516 

364 

578 

573 

450 

559 

458 

450 

1885. 

487 

438 

550 

538 

552 

490 

548 

525 

550 

530 

500 

525 

1886. 

555 

584 

578 

597 

561 

574 

500 

540 

525 

600 

592 

576 

1 fiS7 

691 

678 











Tracings made: 











1884. 

67 

62 

73 

96 

59 

46 

46 

39 

23 

51 

47 

39 

1885. 

74 

70 

59 

74 

74 

61 

47 

64 

72 

89 

86 

75 

1886. 

84 

44 

83 

72 

87 

75 

76 

83 

63 

65 

47 

83 

1 CQ7 

126 

67 











Reproductions receiv- 












ed: 

1884. 

2, 822 

2, 616 

2, 984 

3, 708 

3, 531 

3, 353 

3,122 

2,926 

3, 536 

3, 601 

2, 613 

3, 026 

1885. 

L 948 

2, 388 

2, 863 

2,973 

3, 004 

4,196 

2, 989 

2,794 

3,303 

2, 839 

2,736 

3,329 

1886. 

2, 489 

2, 745 

3, 307 

2, 945 

2, 769 

3, 046 

2, 693 

3, 445 

2, 269 

2, 530 

2, 971 

2, 566 


2,199 

2, 593 











Reproduction, proofs 











examined; 













1884. 

2, 554 

2, 390 

2, 805 

2, 974 

2, 207 

2, 885 

2, 396 

2, 013 

2, 850 

2, 066 

1,699 

2,291 

1885. 

1,909 

2, 467 

2, 849 

2, 885 

3,014 

3, 942 

2, 499 

2,760 

3, 306 

2, 786 

2,680 

3, 594 

1886. 

2, 396 

2, 743 

3, 307 

2, 851 

2, 739 

3, 031 

2, 733 

3,470 

2, 269 

2, 487 

3, 067 

2, 543 


2,180 

2, 648 











Specifications receiv- 











ed : 

1884. 

2, 822 

2,616 

2, 984 

3, 708 

3, 531 

3, 353 

3,122 

2, 926 

3,536 

3, 601 

2, 613 

3, 026 

1885. 

2,648 

2, 692 

3,190 

2,138 

2,215 

3, 970 

3, 848 

4,049 

5, 532 

3, 473 

1, 984 

2, 501 

1886. 

1, 855 

1,938 

2, 391 

2, 047 

1,954 

2, 272 

2, 029 

2, 309 

1, 677 

1, 758 

2, 056 

1,770 

1887...... 

1,585 

1,848 

















































































































358 


the department of the iNTERlOti 


Character of business 
and year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Copies pasted: 

1884. 

2,580 
2, 903 

2,287 
2, 764 
2,755 
2 689 

2,217 
2,216 
3, 538 

2, 878 
2, 878 
2,865 

2, 638 
2, 638 
2,933 

2,461 
4,172 
3,161 

2, 642 

1,993 

2,681 

2,129 

2,465 

2,498 

3885. 

3,426 

2, 733 

3,439 

3, 027 
2,572 

2, 661 

3, 458 

1886. 

2 ,459 
o 248 

2 ; 578 

3, 360( 

2,403 

2, 954 

2,508 

1 QQ7 



Claims attached: 

1884. 

5, 625 
1, 963 

9,267 
1,837 

6,473 
2, 771 
6,384 

6,170 
2,771 
5, 536 

5, 075 
1, 652 

2,101 
7,059 
6, 081 

2, 012 

1,439 

2,108 

1, 621 

1,510 

2,070 

1885. 

5,775 

6, 672 

6, 708 

5, 622 

5,403 

6,473 

1886. 

4;713 

5 ; 741 
1 664 

5 ; 459 

4 ; 971 

6, 329 

4, 734 

4,899 

5,777 

4, 986 

1 KftT 

i; 426 

1,101 
4,306 
2,935 
6 132 



Drawings mounted: 
1884. 

479 

939 

764 

356 

262 

698 

274 

1, 417 

2, 897 

3,512 

2,004 

1885. 

2, 427 
5, 073 
4 852 

3, 878 
2,868 

764 

335 

2, 749 
4,316 

7,315 
3,153 

3, 970 

2,119 

2,989 

5,008 

3,118 

1886 . 

4, 308 

2, 789 

3i 338 

3,400 

2,881 

1, 929 

1,549 




Drawings and volumes 
restored: 

1884. 

56 

101 

89 

61 

109 

63 

55 

6 

51 

21 

12 

2 

1885. 

45 

41 

5 

5 

0 

60 

25 

2 

14 

75 

20 

45 

1886. 

72 

0 

61 

278 

668 

82 

124 

57 

29 

0 

0 

60 

1RS7 

31 

4, 365 
4,100 

44 







File wrappers pasted: 
1884. 

4, 800 
3, 000 
3,100 

4, 750 
4,425 
5,100 

4,425 
4, 425 

4, 710 
4,710 
3, 800 

4, 825 
4, 200 
3, 700 

5,600 
3, 800 

0 

.5,170 

4, 300 

2, 800 

0 

1885. 

3, 100 

3, 600 

3,150 

2, 750 

3,150 

1886. 

4, 900 
4, 550 

6, 650 

3,100 

3, 550 

3, 600 

3, 500 

2, 850 

2,800 

1 887 

3 ; 400 

513 

Rejected and abandon¬ 
ed drawings received: 
1884. 

1, 307 

2, 775 

1, 706 

2, 420 

19, 451 
18, 873 
21, 777 

822 

1,348 
1, 569 
1, 378 

536 

703 

1,263 

1, 837 
1,521 
822 

721 

915 

603 

1, 039 

1885. 

1, 006 
1,260 

368 

1,214 

958 

1,217 
2, 089 

916 

917 

909 

1,183 

1886. 

991 

'459 

1,568 

562 

1,518 

1, 020 

'789 

1887 . 

955 

Coupons received and 
recorded: 

1884. 

18, 867 
18, 234 
21, 502 

20, 740 
21,281 
24,292 

20, 564 

17, 800 

19, 746 

20, 769 

14, 938 
20, 467 
18, 738 

16, 606 
18, 066 
18,712 

14, 299 
18. 830 

14, 729 
19. 694 

17, 466 
20, 899 

18, 450 

12, 672 
21,121 

17,638 
21,034 
22, 346 

1885. 

20, 917 
22,120 

1886. 

16. 878119.174 

20 ; 107 

1887 

23i 139 

20 ; 426 

74, 604 

75, 821 
87, 965 
78, 769 



Copies selected: 

1884. 

75, 530 
68, 554 
84,181 

76, 370 

78, 564 
85, 253 
114, 898 

88, 368 
97, 646 

77,146 
92, 900 

70, 243 
100. 899 

68, 583 
83. 439 

59, 266 65, 206 
75, 915 87, 542 
82. 763 77. 769 

60, 063 
79, 702 
76, 947 

45,743 
82, 259 
85, 829 

65, 035 
83,447 
98, 651 

1885. 

1886. 

92 ; 026 

87,104 

93. 766^85. 908 

1887 . 
















The following statement shows the average number of employes in the draftsman’s 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 


Year. - 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

il884. 

81 

82 

80 

80 

83 

85 

82 

90 

87 

96 

92 

92 

1885. 

86 

92 

87 

89 

87 

88 

89 

87 

87 

92 

87 

91 

.1886.. 

89 

93 

65 

78 

72 

78 

70 

72 

60 

70 

65 

62 

1887 (to March 1). 

77 

63 

























The following statement show’s the maximum and rainimnm amount of business 
1;ran8acted and disposed of by the employ^ doing the most and the employd doing 
the least during the periods specified in the draftsman’s division of the United States 
Patent Office, Department of the Interior: 

employ:^ doing the most—maximum. 


Character 
of business. 

Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

Juno. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Draftsman. 

1884 

$103 00 

$99 00 

$94 00 

$108 00 

$101 50 

$103 00 

$100 00 

$110 75 

$102 00 

$97 00 

$99 00 

$101 00 

Tracer. 


84 00 

73 00 

73 75 

79 00 

80 00 

72 00 

80 00 

49 75 

55 75 

73 00 

70 25 

91 25 

Draftsman. 

1885 

99 50 

96 00 

107 50 

104 00 

93 00 

108 50 

105 00 

97 50 

111 00 

92 00 

96 00 

105 00 

Tracer. 


83 50 

60 50 

50 00 

63 50 

61 75 

64 00 

76 00 

62 75 

56 25 

70 25 

09 75 

57 50 

Draftsman. 

1886 

103 00 

98 00 

113 00 

116 00 

97 00 

103 00 

111 00 

98 00 

103 00 

97 00 

105 00 

93 00 

Tracer. 


73 00 

56 25 

66 00 

71 75 

65 50 

62 25 

69 00 

58 25 

55 75 

60 25 

58 25 

72 25 

Draftsman. 

1887 

104 00 

93 00 











Tracer. 


73 00 

51 75 































































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


359 


EMPLOY]^ DOING^ THE LEAST—MINIMUM. 


Character 
of business. 

Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

_ 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

All". 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Draftsman. 

1884 

$57 75 

$34 25 

$54 50 

$69 50 

$60 50 

$40 00 

$56 00 

$27 00 

$28 50 

$59 00 

$37 00 

$57 5o 

Tracer. 


37 00 

26 00 

44 00 

65 25 

52 75 

44 00 

34 25 

.30 25 

21 25 

27 50 

38 50 

69 75 

Draftsman. 

1885 

54 50 

45 50 

52 00 

66 00 

63 00 

50 25 

58 0(/ 

45 00 

48 00 

38 25 

53 00 

48 00 

Tracer. 


16 50 

29 75 

46 50 

60 50 

46 00 

38 75 

48 7.5 

31 50 

33 55 

31 50 

23 75 

24 50 

Draftsman 

1886 

62 00 

60 00 

51 00 

63 00 

72 00 

.57 00 

60 0(' 

74 00 

25 00 

76 50 

62 00 

61 25 

Tracer. 


56 50 

47 50 

25 25 

40 00 

43 25 

40 75 

18 5t 

37 75 

22 25 

24 25 

22 75 

38 00 

Draftsman. 

1887* 

80 00 

76 75 











Tracer. 


43 00 

35 75 


























* To March 1. 


Draftsmen and tracers are the only employes of this division v/ho are engaged on 
specific duties which can he reported under this statement. 

In making the report on minimum amount of work doue no allowance was made 
for time lost from any cause. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the draftsman’s division of the United States Patent 
OflQce, Department of the Interior: 


Year. 

No. of 
employes. 

1884. 

84 

1885 . 

88 

1886 . 

73 

1887 (to March 1,). 

70 



Average No. 
of days 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 

No. of 
working 
days. 

26.513 


None 

306 

26714 

64 

None 

302 

263/i. 

64 

None 

304 

43g 

64 

None 

49 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days and also the minimum 
number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of 
days in the draftsman’s division of the United States Patent Office, Department of 
the Interior, during the i)eriods specified: 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

‘MTaviTTinm Tinmber of days_________ 

302 

296 

296 

49 

Minininm niimhftr of days______..._ 

2174 

142 

182 

36 



FINANCIAL CLERK. 

Eeport of the financial cleric, United States Patent Office, on the methods, of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed of, at the dates 
specified below, in the division of financial clerk, in the office of the Commissioner of 
Patents: 


Character of business. 

Received 
during 1884. 

-i- 

Received 
during 1885. 

Received 
during 1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing Jan., 
Feb., and 
Mar., 1887. 

Applications. 

.. 

$970,175 00 
35, 831 30 
24, 004 00 
11,845 50 
3, 943 00 

$1,074,090‘ 00 
73,416 85 
24, 367 50 
13,141 80 
3, 042 00 
31 00 

$1,042,090 00 
71, 675 35 
23,256 30 
13,926 75 
3, 603 00 

$275,970*00 
22,710 55 
6 ,574 05 
7, 663 25 
756 00 

Recording assignments. 

Subscription to Official Gazette. 

Registration of labels. 


















































































360 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The following statement shows the average nnrnber of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and traLsaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the financial division of the Patent Office, Department 
of the Interior: 


Tear. 

No. of em- 
ploy6s. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average No. 
of hours em¬ 
ployed daily. 

1884 . 

5 

290 

7 

1885. 

5 

247 

7 

1886 . 

5 

205 

7 

1887 (to March 1>. 

5 

39 

7 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ6 present for the least number of days 
in the financial division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

Maximum number of days... 

307 

302 

270 

48 

Minimum number of days.... 

183 

222 

113 

48 



INTERFERENCE RECORD BRANCH OF DIVISION A. 


Report of the interference record branch of division A, United States Patent Office, on the 
methods of business and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by 
Department circular of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement in detail of business in the interference record division of 
the United States Patent Office for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 (to March 1): 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1). 

301 

587 

552 

928 

340 

510 

543 

1,004 

384 

568 

614 

4.33 

626 

666 

496 

682 

611 

435 

640 

687 

395 

606 

598 

353 

640 

576 

397 

613 

639 

501 

639 

679 

415 

563 

898 

406 

458 

799 













A number of letters written. 

In view of the miscellaneous character of the work of this division it is impossible 
to give an estimate of the amount of work done by the whole division, or by any of 
the persons employed herein. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named: 



In consequence of the frequent changes in personnel of the interference record 
division and the irregularity of the receipt of matters pertaining thereto, it is im¬ 
possible to keep a correct account of the business transacted and disposed of by the 
employ^ doing the most or the employd doing the least herein. 

















































































Tilii DEt^ARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


361 


The following statement sliows the average miniber of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named ; also the number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the 
greatest number of days and the employd present for the least number of days: 


Year. 

Average 
No. of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884. 

2.54 

7 

238 

186 

1885. 

276 

7 

299 

268 

1886. 

285 

7 

285 

258 

1887 (to March 1). 

47 

7 

48 

20 




Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the interference rec¬ 
ord division of the United States Patent Office. 

Preparing cases by making up the files for the examiner of interferences, and keep¬ 
ing a record of the same. 

The recording and briefing of all mail matter and acknowledging the receipt of tlio 
same in matters pertaining to interference cases. 

Keeping a complete record of the times of hearing fixed by the examiner of inter¬ 
ferences, and of his decisions and the decisions of the primary examiners in interfer¬ 
ence cases ; also a record of all exhibits filed in the cases to which they refer, and 
the record and the custody of all cases finally disposed of by the.examiner of inter¬ 
ferences. 

Preparing and docketing all appeals to the Commissioner and sending out the no¬ 
tices of hearing on the same. 

Recording all decisions of the Commissioner and sending the notices of the same. 
Keeping a record of all appeals to the examiners-in-chiet and their actions thereon, 
together with the custody of all cases disposed of by that tribunal. 

Record of all cases submitted to the committee on division, and their actioiis 
thereon. 

Furnishing copies of all preliminary statements and decisions. 

Statement of the interference record division of the United States Patent Ofilce 
showing the methods adopted in transacting the principal business matters, begin¬ 
ning with the receipt of the matter by the Department, or by any cf the agents of 
the Department, and, giving in consecutive order, the various steps taken by each 
of such business matters, through the various divisions of the office and the va¬ 
rious Bureaus, and divisions of such Bureaus and employes through whose hands 
the same passes and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action 
thereon had and taken by each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice 
thereof duly given to the proper party. 

All mail matter pertaining to interference business received in interference record 
division is stamped with the date of its reception, assorted, and properly indorsed, 
entered in the interference record and in the particular case to which the same 
reffirs, and duly acknowledged to the attorneys of record for the parties in interest. 

All interferences declared by the primary examiner are properly prepared and 
entered of record in the order of their dates, having a janket with names of the 
interfering parties and the subject-matter of the case indorsed thereon, alter which 
they are entered of record and forwarded to the examiner of interferences. 


















362 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


INTERB'ERENCE DIVISION. 


Report of the interference division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 11^7. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending and undisposed 
of, at the dates specified below, in the interference division of the United States Patent 
Office, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

r-T 

1) 

Oh 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1884. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1885. 

Received dur- 

1 ing 1885. 

Disposed of in 

1885. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1886. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1886. 

Pending Jan. 

1,1887. 

Received dur¬ 

ing 1886. 

Disposed of in 

1887. 

Cases for final decision. 

32 

375 

407 

8 

565 

558 

15 

643 

640 

12 

102 

82 

Casesibr intorlocutorv action .... 

17 

2, 227 

2, 236 

0 

2,856 

2,856 

0 

3, 096 

3,082 

21 

499 

514 

Cases for declaration. 

0 

441 

441 

0 

762 

762 

0 

700 

700 

0 

97 

97 


This latter report includes the number of cases received and disposed of up to March 
1, 1887. 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the interference division 
of the office of Commissioner of Patents, for the years 1884, 1885, 1886,^and 1887 (to 
March 1): 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

319 

356 

310 

301 

344 

269 

134 

290 

252 

237 

205 

235 

1885. 

301 

237 

277 

374 

372 

366 

405 

395 

366 

404 

231 

337 

1886. 

389 

342 

383 

363 

351 

372 

416 

337 

343 

388 

385 

353 

1887 (to March 1). 

379 

314 













These figures indicate the number of cases acted upon each month. 


The following statement shows the average number of employds during each month 
of the following years: 



The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods speci¬ 
fied, by the employes in the interference division of the United States Patent Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior: 


Tear. 

Number of 
employds. 

Average 
number of 
days pres¬ 
ent. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed 
daily. 

1884 . 

2 


7 

1885. 

3 

209 

7 

1886 . 

4 

213 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

6 

48 

7 

















































































Tim DEPARTMENT OP TIIE INTERIOR. 


363 


The following; statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ6 present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum 
number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of 
days, in the interference division of the United States Patent Office, Department of 
the Interior, during the periods specified : 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 (to 
March 1). 

Maximum number of dava. 

2C3 

261 

250 

265 

248 

48 

46 

Minimum number of days. 

201 



No account has been kept of the business performed and disposed of by each em- 
ployd during the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887, or any part or parts thereof, and 
the reasons why such account has not been kept, are as follows: 

The duties of this division are almost exclusively judicial. The mere statement 
that an employd has disposed of so many cases in a given length of time conveys no 
idea as to the amount of labor he has put upon such cases, of the intelligence of the 
employd, or of the quality of the work he may have done. It would be within the 
power of the chief of the division to assign a certain class of cases to'one assistant 
and another and different class to another assistant, and if the number of actions 
made were to be the measure of the value of the services of an employd, the one with 
the least capacity and industry in the division might thereby be credited with doing 
four or five times the labor of the most able, industrious, and efficient employd. The 
reading of one hundred pages of testimony is one thing, and the consideration of such 
testimony, and the weighing of the same as evidence, is entirely another thing. 
It would follow from the very nature of the case that the chief of the division would 
give to his ablest assistant those cases involving the most intricate questions both of 
law and of evidence, and give those requiring the leastcare and the least judgment to 
the weakest man in his force, and especially those cases which are decided simply upon 
the record, and by default would go to the weakest member of his force, and such 
labor amounts to almost simply clerical work, and yet at the end of the month the 
weakest and most inefficient man would have the largest number of actions credited 
to his account. There is no way of measuring the value of the services of an emx)loyd 
of this division but by a scrutiny of his individual work on individual cases—quality 
and not quantity being the standard of measure—and therefore any attenq)t to make 
a record of the same would probably result in failure, and, therefore, such attemx^t 
has never been made. In fact it is jiossible in this division for an employd to dispose 
of twice the work that he can actually do and do well. In other words, it is within 
the very nature of the work possible for him to let superficial examination and guess¬ 
work take the place of careful consideration and laborious research, and such being 
the case, the quality of work done in the division must always depend upon careful 
selection of the x)roper men to conduct it, more than upon any rule or system that 
can be established. 

Interference proceedings are as a rule very expensive, frequently costing the liti¬ 
gants in a single case thousands of dollars. The ablest patent attorneys in the country 
are often employed to conduct proceedings to this end and are i)resumably paid large 
fees for euch services. The direct result of this expenditure of time and money is a 
judgment of priority of invention rn favor of one of the litigants, and upon Avhich a 
l^atent issues to such successful party. Such being the case, it would seem that the 
time consumed by an employ^ in arriving at a conclusion is a matter of small conse¬ 
quence, and that all that should be required of him in that particular is that he should 
give his time strictly to business; that beyond this the sole consideration should be 
quality of the work done by him; and as a not inconsiderable proportion of the decis¬ 
ions of the division are reviewed by appellate tribunals, the affirmance or reversal of 
decisions in cases afl'ords a very correct criterion by which the quality of the same 
may be judged. 

As to the labor of the clerical force a similar course of reasoning would apply in 
explanation of the failure to keep, and the imiiracticability of keeping, a strict record 
of daily wory. The clerical work consists of many and important details, in the dis¬ 
position of which accuracy is the essential requisite, and this, combined with a will¬ 
ingness and capability of being reasonably rapid, forn the true test of merit. 


















3(34 


THE department OF tllE INTERIOR. 


Stateuient of the iiiterfereuco divisiou of flic United States Patent Office, showing the 
methods adopted in ti'ansacting the principal business matters, beginning with the 
receii)t of the matter by the l)e])artmen1;, or by any of the agents ot the Depart¬ 
ment, and giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such 
business matters through the various divisions of the office and the various Bureaus 
and divisions of such Bureaus, and emj)loy6s through whose hands the same passes, 
and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had and 
taken bj'^ each, until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof dulj" given 
to the proper party. 

The business of this division pertains to interference proceedings, an interference 
being defined to be as follows: “An interference is a proceeding instituted for the 
purpose of determining the (jnestiou of priority of invention between two or more 
parties claiming substantially the same patentable invention.” 

It is the duty of the ])rimary examiner to determine in the first instance whether 
or not an interference exists, and if he deems one to exist letters are written to the 
])arties informing them of such interference, and these letters, together with the files 
and drawings, are transmitted to the examiner of interferences. Upon receif>tof the 
same such Ictlers are carefully examined by one of the clerks in the interference divis¬ 
ion, and if the case is properly prepared a time is noted in such letters for the filing ot 
preliminary statements and the same are mailed to the parties. This action is known 
as the declaration of the interference by the examiner of interferences. If such inter¬ 
ference is in any way improperly prepared it is returned to the primaiy examiner for 
correction. 

The preliminary statements referred to should set forth, the date of conception, dis- 
closino to others, the making of a drawing and a model, reduction to practice, and 
extent of use. Such statements remain sealed until the limit of time given for filing 
the same has expired. Then such statements areopened, and if any information as to 
the steps above referred to is omitted from such statements, letters are written to the 
parties requiring the same to be supplied. If the Junior party fail to file a statement 
within the time allowed, or if his alleged dates fiiil to overcome the dates of the senior 
party, judgment is rendered in favor of the senior party upon the record. If the 
senior i)arty fail to file a statement he is restricted to his record date—the date of 
liling of his application—and is permitted to take rebutting testimony only ; and in 
setting times for taking testimony such fact is indicated in the notices thereof. Each 
party to the interference is given a time within which to take his testimony-in-chief 
(unless the senior party be restricted as above), the Junior party a time in rebuttal, 
and a day of hearing to be had before the examiner of interferences upon the evidence 
presented is also set. After such times have been set by the office the parties are at 
liberty to stipulate between themselves for such extensions as they may desire, and if 
such stipulations are ]>ropcrly signed thej’' are approved by the examiner of interfer¬ 
ences, and letters are sent to the parties setting times in accordance with such stipu¬ 
lations. 

Ex parte requests, stipulations, &c., are filed from time to time in interference 
cases—all of which are acted upon by the examiner of interferences, and letters writ¬ 
ten by the clerk notifying the parties of the action taken. 

Motions are also presented, upon which elaborate arguments are frequently had, 
and the determination of which involves legal research and the expenditure of much 
time and labor. These cases are sometimes continued through a period of two years 
or more before ready for final decision, and hence involve much work. 

When the day of final hearing arrives, arguments based upon the evidence pre¬ 
sented are made by counsel rei)reseuting the interfering parties. Such arguments are 
sometimes of great length, extending through the entire day, and perhaps into the 
next day ; but these are exceptional. The ordinary argument covers a period of not 
more than half a day. Manj' cases are submitted upon the evidence without argu¬ 
ment, or merely upon briefs filed by the x^ai’ties or their counsel. After such argu¬ 
ment has been had, the case comes uj) in its turn for final decision. This involves 
the reading of the testimony—which in many cases is voluminous—much legal re¬ 
search, and the exx)euditure of a large amount of time. There are some cases in 
which no testimo7iy is taken by either party, and tho'resnlt is a decision upon the 
record in favor of the senior party. 

There are also ex parte cases which involve the question of public use or sale of the 
invention more than two years prior to the filing of the application. These requk'e 
much labor, and are conducted usually at great expense to the parties. Testimony is 
taken in these cases as in interference cases—sometimes at the exi)ense of the office— 
and a hearing is had before the examiner of interferences upon the testimony taken. 
In a majority of instances these cases involve public interest of considerable impor¬ 
tance. 

There are many interferences which involve more than two parties—some contain¬ 
ing as many as twelve; and, as can bo readily seen, these necessitate much work, and 
are the occasion of great contest. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


365 


It may porhaps be well to state that each paity to an interference is notilied of all 
actions taken, and this requires a great amount of clerical work. Records are kept 
of every action and every step taken from the time a case reaches this division until 
dually disposed of. 

Appeal lies from interlocutory matters to the Commissioner of Patents, and in the 
first instance from final decisions upon the merits to the board of examiners-in-chief. 


ISSUE AND GAZETTE DIVISION. 

Ueport of the issue and Gazette division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of 
business and loork, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department 
circular of March 23, 1887. 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the issue and Gazette 
division of the office of Commissioner of Patents, for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 
1887 (to March 1): 


Tear. 


1884. 

188.5. 

1886. 

1887 (to Mar. 1) 


Jan. 

Eel). 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

2,014 

1,453 

1,740 

1,590 

1, 014 
1,4.53 
1,740 
1, 590 

1,796 
2,219 
2, 426 

2, 338 
2,175 
2, 065 

1, 676 
2,171 
1,989 

1,765 
2, 654 
2,527 

2, 009 
2,142 
1,813 

1,718 

1. 997 

2, 303 

1, 512 
2,480 
1 , 682 

1,537 
2,110 
1, 779 

1, 394 
2,010 
2,100 

1,827 
2, 437 
1, 795 












The above statement shows the number of patents and certificates of registration 
of trade-marks and labels issued each month. This is the most important of the 
various kinds of work performed in the division. It is impossible to summarize all 
in a single tabulated statement. (See page — for further exhibit.) 

The following statement shows the average number of employds during each mouth 
of the following years: 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884...'.. 

45 

45 

44 

45 

45 

45 

45 

47 

48 

46 

46 

45 

1885 . 

43 

42 

43 

44 

44 

44 

44 

43 

43 

42 

45 

44 

42 

1886. 

43 

43 

44 

43 

43 

43 

46 

47 

46 

46 

46 

1887 (1'^ IVTflirr.li 1)___ 

48 

47 













The work in this divi.sion is of so varied a character that, with the exception of the 
proof-readers, of whom there are from six to eight, not more than two persons are en¬ 
gaged in like duties. It is therefore manifestly impossible to rate their efficiency in 
the comparative form desired. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the years 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the 
greatest number of days and employe present for the least number of days during 
the following years: 


Tear. 

Average 
No. of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of day 8. 

1884 . . 

260 

7 

In person. 

298 

45 

188?i . 

266 

7 

- do. 

287 

20 

188n . 

266 

7 

- do. 

300 

19 

1 887 ATovr-li 1) .. 

43 

7 

....do . 

48 

6 






















































































3G6 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

Statement showing the princix^al items of business transacted in the issue and Ga¬ 
zette division of the Patent Office, Department of the Interior. 

(1) To receive from the examiners all cases allowed by them, to carefully revise 
them in the matter of their preparation in form ; the correctness of the interlinea¬ 
tions and insertions of amendments; the completeness of the oaths, signatures, wit¬ 
nesses, &c.; in a word, to see if they conform in all respects to the requirements of 
the statutes and rules of the office, and edit them for the printer ; then issue the no¬ 
tice of allowance provided by rule 159, prepare and file a duplicate thereof, and lile 
the cases in pigeon holes under the proper ali)habetical combinations, for convenient 
access. 

(2) Upon the receipt of the final Government fees to make a record thereof, find, 
and, after unmistakable identification of the case, at)ply the fee and mail a receipt 
therefor. 

(3) To enter upon the ali)habetical register under the proper combination the name 

of the inventor, the names of all assignees, the title of the invention, the date the 
patent wdll bear, its number, the address to which it is to be sent, and date of mail¬ 
ing. These entries include all patents issued and all trade-marks and labels regis¬ 
tered. , 

(4) To spread upon the record the complete grant of the patent in due form, with 
the names of all grantees, the interest of each and how acquired, the title of the in¬ 
vention and the limitation of the term of the patent under section 4887, Revised 
Statutes, bji reason of foreign patents, if any, reciting each. 

(5) The preparation of a complete memorandum of a case, as soon asthe final fee is 
paid, for the assignment division, to enable it to make a search of its records to deter¬ 
mine who are to appear as grantees in the i^atent. 

(G) The cases, having been ])repared for the printer, are forwarded to the Government 
Printing Office, and returned with proof sheets of the specifications, with amend¬ 
ments inserted attached, which are read with the original manuscri]>t, and errors, in¬ 
consistencies, and incompleteness in the text, iiarticularly in the claims, brought to 
the notice of the examiner, and corrected and iierfected for issuance to the patentee. 

(7) Letters patent, in eaeh case, consisting of a fine manuscript copy of thcrecord, 
upon engraved blanks on bond paper, a ])rinted copy of the specification, and a pho¬ 
tolithograph copy of the drawing, attached together and secured by ribbon and the 
seal of the office, are prepared, presented to the Commissioner and Secretary of the 
Interior for signatures, and mailed to each patentee or his attorney. 

(8) The preparation and publication of the Ofiicial Gazette, weekly, which con¬ 
sists of: 

(«) The prep.aration upon dummy cards, 19 by 11 inches, of each page of the Gazette 
from advance sheets of drawings and printed copies of the claims, prepared espec¬ 
ially for this purpose, with headings and briefs. 

(6) The statistical and miscellaneous matter on the first two pages of each number 
and the decisions, for which in most instances syllabi have to be furnished. 

(c) The weekly indexes in two forms, patentees, and inventions, coutainin<>' the 
names and titles, with the additional data of patent number and page references to 
both dra\yings and specifications in the Gazette and monthly volumes. These in¬ 
dexes are successively arranged for the weekly Gazette, the monthly volumes issued 
under section 490, Revised Statutes, the quarterly volumes of the Gazette, and, finally 
for the annual report of the Commissioner of Patents, to be forwarded to Con«-ress 
at the close of each calendar year, in which latter form they make, when printed a 
volume of quarto size, brevier type, of over 600 pages. ’ 

(9) The entry of all subscriptions and orders for the Official Gazette, and all desig¬ 

nations by members of Congress of public libraries to be supplied with the Gazette 
under the act of May 18, 1872, with the attendant correspondence and the mailinfr of 
the Gazette weekly. ® 

(10) The registering, answering, and filing of all correspondence comin*’- to this 

branch of the office. ^ 

(11) All printing and binding for the Patent Office is ordered and directed through 

this division, and the work received and receipted for. ® 

(12) The following are the printed publications of the office prepared edited 

printed under the direction of this division; ’ ’ 

(а) The specifications of all patents as they are issued weekly, 7 by 11 inches 
double column, long primer type, of which 152 copies are printed. (Joint resolution 
of Jannary 11, 1871.) 

(б) Bound volumes of same, using the type already set for weekly issues with titles 
and headings reduced to width of a column; of these, 200 volumes are issued montlil v 
with indexes. (Section 490 and 491, R. S.) 

(c) The Official Gazette ; pamphlet, in covers; about 130 pages, of wffiich over 100 
are photohthographed, containing the claims and illustrations of the weekly issues of 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 367 


patents, with indexes. Edition, 6,500, 500 of which are bound quarterly. (Act of 
May 18, 1872.) 

(d) Quarterly indexes to patentees 4nd subject-matter of inventions, to accompany 
the quarterly volumes of the Gazette. Issued quarterly; edition, 6,500. 

(e) Animal indexes. Lists of inventors and inventions, alphabetically arranged, 
forming part of the Commissioner of Patent’s report to Congress at the end of each 

j calendar year, printed by order of Congress, of which the office orders, while in type, 

I 6,.500 copies. 

; (/) Commissioner’s and Court Decisions. Published annually in octavo form, con¬ 

taining all the decisions published in the Official Gazette during the year, with digest 
' and indexes. Edition, 1,200 ; 300 bound full sheep, 900 in paper covers. 

I Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the issue and 
1 Gazette division of the United States Patent Office, in the Department of the In- 
I terior, including one or \nore items of the principal business matters transacted in 
' said division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the said division 
I office, and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of 

! such principal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and 

the employds through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered 
1 and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is 
t finally disposed of, and notice thereof duly given to the proper party. 


History of a case from the time it receives favorable adjudication at the hands of 
the examiner until the letters patent are issued and mailed to the patentee or his at¬ 
torney : 

All cases allowed i-n either of the twenty-nine examining divisions of the Patent 
Office are immediately delivered to the issue and gazette division, together with the 
drawings. 

They first pass into the hands of the revisers, who examine the papers to see if they 
are perfect in every respect in the matter of signature, witnesses, oath, &c.; that the 
amendments are all present and properly entered, files duly signed, drawings perfect. 


&c. 

The files and drawings are then sent to the draftsman, who takes the drawing, re¬ 
ceipting on the file therefor, and returns the files to the issue division, where they are 
delivered to the allowance desk. Notices of allowance are then prepared in duplicate, 
one of which is placed in the file, the other mailed to the applicant or his attorney, as 
required by section 4885, Revised Statutes. 

The files are then placed in pigeon holes arranged alphabetically, to await the pay¬ 
ment of the final fee, |20. (This must be paid within six months from the date of the 
notice of allowance, else the case becomes forfeited, in which event the file is with¬ 
drawn from the pigeon-hole, entered upon a “ Record of Forfeited Cases ” and returned 
to the examiner.) 

Upon the payment of a final fee, after the fee has been entered upon the Final Fee 
Register, the case is withdrawn from the pigeon-hole, the date of the receipt of the 
fee is entered upon the file, and the file passes to the clerk in charge of the annual. 
Alphabetical Register of Patents, where it is entered under the proper combination, 
together with the title of the invention, the date the patent will bear, and the name 
of^the attorney or person to whom it will be sent. Thence it passes to the clerk who 
makes up the Record of Patent Heads, who fills out upon a prepared form, covering 
one pa<>-e of the Record, a patent, giving it its number, which number is likewise 
carried^to the file, and by wffiich number the file, drawings, and patent are thereafter 

^”rhis patent is prepared complete, with the exception of the signatures of the Secre¬ 
tary of the Interior and Comhiissioner of Patents, which are added thereto after the 

patent is signed. , ^ . 

This beino- done, the file is sent to the draftsman’s division, that its drawing may 
be selected, numbered, and sent to the photolithographer. The file is then returned 
to the issue division, to bo forwarded to .the Government Printer. The files and 
drawings are sent out simultaneously, one to the Public Printer, the other to the photo- 

lithographer. , 

While the files are at the Printing Office, a list of the cases is prepared and sent to 
the assignment division, that the record of assignments maybe searched. To insure the 
issuance of the patent to the proper party, indexes are prepared from the record upon 
index cards, and a transcript of the record of the })atent, knowui as the jiatent head, 
is finely engrossed upon parchment paper to be ready lor the printed matter when it 


eVrn vc8« 

After the specifications have been put in type and proof-read at the Printing Office, 
the ])rcof8 are returned to this office, with the liles, lor another (technical) proof-read- 
iii'’’, to insure an accurate printing of the specification and claims.in the exact form 
an7l language in whicli the examiner intended to jillow^ the caso^ to receive an^y cor- 




368 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


rection iu tbe nanies of tlie grantees, or any limitation in term, by reason of new in¬ 
formation with regard to foreign patents. 

Tbe tiles are then retained bere and tbe revised proof returned to tbe Printing 
Office, from wbicli 150 copies of each specification, with its claims, are printed, one of 
wbicb is upon bond paper, to form a part of tbe patent as issued. (Section 4834, R, S.) 

Tbe claims are re-set in larger type (Euglisb), and copies thereof are furuisbed for 
tbe preparation of tbe dummy cards for tbe Official Gazette. 

Upon tbe delivery of the printed copies of tbe specilications, tbe bond copy, to¬ 
gether with a copy of tbe drawing, wbicb bas meantime been pboto-litbograpbed, 
and tbe patent bead, spoken of above, are all attached together with ribbon and seal, 
presented to tbe Commissioner of Patents to 1‘0 couuteisigned, to tbe Secretary of 
tbe Interior to be signed, and are then delivered to the attorney or tbe patentee. Tbe 
record is now completed by entering tbe signatures of the Secretary and Commissioner 
therein from tbe patents. Many comparisons are made tbronghont tbe progress of 
tbe work on each patent to secure accuracy in every detail. Patents are signed and 
issued only on Tuesday of each week, and the Official Gazette, containing the illus¬ 
trations, claims, and lists, issues simultaneously. Tbe time allowed for tbe perform¬ 
ance of all this work iu the preparation of the patent, from tbe time of tbe payment 
of tbe final fee to tbe delivery of tbepateeut is but seventeen days. (See Rule 213, 
Rules of Practice, U. S. Patent Office.) With an issue of over 400 patents weekly, 
tbe division bas an average of over 1,000 patents iu baud daily iu various stages of 
preparation. 

After the issuance of tbe patents, tbe (now) patented files are turned over to the 
division having charge of such files, and they are open to the inspection of tbe public. 


Tbe following statement shows tbe amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on band, pending and undisposed 
of, at tbe dates specified below, in tbe issue and Gazette division of the United States 
Patent Office, Departmen j of tbe Interior : 


Cliaracterof business. 



M 


Cases revised. 

Final fees applied and entered _ 

Patentees and assignees registered. 

Trade-marks registered. 

Labels registered. 

Patents recorded. 

Certificates of registration recorded 
Cases certified to assignment di¬ 
vision. 

Pages of proof read. 

Patent heads ])rei)ared. including 

trade-marks and labels. 

Patents sealed, signed, and mailed . 
Number of Official (xazette issued.. 
Dummy cards for Official Gazette 

prepared. 

Pages of decisions, &c., prepared .. 
Subscribers to Official Gazette sup¬ 
plied Aveekly. 

iliscellaneous orders for Official 
Gazette and other publications 

received and filled . 

Public libraries supplied witli Offi¬ 
cial Gazette. 

Number of Official Gazette mailed.. 

Index cards prepared.. 

Volumes, specifications, and draw¬ 
ings published. 

Requisitions for printing and bind¬ 
ing made. 

Letters received, exclusive of final 

fees.. 

Letters written, exclusive of circu- 


26, 071 
18, 836 
28, 948 
],021 
513 
21,917 
1,534 

20, 529 
24, 792 

21,947 
20,413 
331, 500 

4, 574 
368 

*2,153 


6 , 211 

*3,196 
276, 794 
57, 896 

2, 400 

504 

8,197 


lars .. 

Notices of allowance issued 
Cases forfeited. 


1, 313 
26, 071 

2, 784 


, 1 

Disposed o f 
' in 1884. I 

' 1 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1885. 

1 

Disposed o f 
in 1885. 

Received dur- i 
ing 1886. 

i 

Disposed o f 
in 1886. 

Received dur¬ 
ing 1887. 

Disposed o f 
in 1887. 

26, 071 

30, 717 

30, 717 

27, 0.53 

27, 0.53 

4,189 

4,189 

18. 836 

23, 733 

23, 733 

21,740 

21. 740 

3, 262 

3, 262 

28, 948 

34, 673 

34. 673 

33, U24 

3.3, 024 

4, 012 

4, 012 

1, 021 

1, 067 

1,067 

1, 029 

1, 029 

169 

169 

.513 

,391 

391 

378 

378 

59 

59 

21, 947 

25. 681 

2.5, 681 

23, 915 

23, 915 

3, 473 

3,473 

1, 534 

1,458 

1,458 

1,407 

1,40, 

226 

226 

20, 529 

24,104 

24, 104 

22, 392 

22 392 

3, 247 

3, 247 

24, 792 

31, 900 

31,000 

30, 921 

30, 921 


. 

21,947 

25, 681 

25, 681 

23, 915 

23, 915 

3, 473 

3,473 

20.413 

24, 233 

24, 233 

22, 508 

22, 508 

3, 247 

3, 247 

331, 500 

338, 000 

338, 000 

338, 000 

338, 000 

26, 000 

26, 000 

4, ,574 

5, 956 

5, 956 

5, 662 

5, 662 

840 

840 

368 

372 

372 

360 

360 

56 

56 

*2,153 

*2,173 

*2,17*3 

*2, 264 

*2, 264 

*3, 825 

*3, 825 

6,211 

4, 824 

4, 824 

4, 560 

4, 569 

784 

784 

*3,196 

*3, 238 

*3, 238 

*3, 318 

*3,318 

*3, 223 

*.3, 223 

276, 794 

276, 514 

276, 514 

283,815 

283,815 

41,467 

41, 467 

57, 896 

69, 326 

69, 326 

66, 448 

66, 448 

8, 378 

8, 378 

2, 400 

2,400 

2,400 

2, 400 

2, 400 

400 

400 

504 

580 

582 

437 

437 

68 

68 

8,197 

8, 219 

8,219 

7, 923 

7, 923 

2,147 

2,147 

1, .313 

1,279 

1,279 

1,194 

1,194 

132 

1.32 

26, 071 

30, 717 

30,717 

27, 053 

27, 053 

4,189 

4,189 

2, 784 

3, 426 

3,426 

3, 311 

3, 311 

541 

.‘=41 


Maximum. 













































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


369 


The following statenaent shows the average araonut and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of, during the periods specified, by the employes in 
the issue and Gazette division of the United States Patent Oihce, Department of the 
Interior: 


1884. 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. ^June. 

■1 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Cases revised. 

2,175 

1,986 

2, 504 

2, 769 

2, 325 

2, 554 

2,176 

1, 873 

2, 086 

2, 005 

1,623 

1,995 

Patentees and assignees 













registered... 

2, 783 

2, 616 

2, 475 

3,138 

2, 254 

2, 369 

2, 696 

2, 306 

2,029 

2, 058 

1, 912 

2,452 

Pinal lees applied and 












entered . 

1, 755 

1, 558 

1, 705 

1,687 

1,872 

1,536 

1, 642 

1, 516 

1, 375 

1, 496 

1,186 

1, 509 

Trademarks registered .. 

87 

60 

79 

105 

58 

75 

86 

84 

87 

54 

’ 125 

122 

Labels registered . 

77 

78 

73 

93 

21 

26 

35 

21 

20 

20 

23 

27 

Certificates of registra- 













tion recorded .. 

16f 

138 

152 

198 

79 

101 

121 

105 

107 

74 

148 

149 

Cases certified to assign 













ment division. 

1,364 

1,800 

1,637 

2,128 

1, 588 

1, 652 

1, 880 

1, 599 

1,808 

1, 454 

1, 246 

1, 668 

Pages of prool read . 

2, 274 

2, 039 

1, 984 

2, 617 

1, 920 

2, 021 

2, 339 

1,822 

2, 292 

i;847 

i; 551 

2 ; 086 

Patent-beads prepared, 













including trade-marks 













and labels . 

1,541 

1,949 

1,796 

2, 338 

1, 676 

1,767 

2, 009 

1,721 

1, 924 

1, 537 

1, 394 

1,827 

Patents sealed, signed, 













and mailed. 

1,377 

1, 811 

1,644 

2,140 

1,597 

1,666 

1,888 

1. 616 

1.817 

1,463 

1.246 

1.678 

Oflicial Gazettes issued .. 

30, 000 

24, 000 

24, 000 

30, 000 

24, 000 

24, 000 

32; 500 

26. 000 32. 500 

26, 000 

2(1 000 32! 500 

Dummy cards for Olticial 













Gazette prepared. 

404 

360 

354 

492 

364 

372 

424 

332 

432 

342 

304 

394 

Pages of decisions, &c., 













prepared. 

34 

26 

30 

32 

28 

• 32 

30 

28 

30 

30 

26 

42 

Subscribers to Oflicial 













Gazette supplied 













weekly. 

1, 655 

1, 811 

1, 944 

2, 029 

2,100 

2,146 

2, 022 

2, 067 

2, 097 

2,108 

2,141 

2,153 

Miscellaneous orders for 













Official Gazette and 













other publications 













filled.. 

831 

538 

674 

503 

531 

431 

499 

441 

365 

563 

332 

503 

Public libraries supplied 













with Oflicial Gazette... 

3, 092 

3,152 

3,183 

3,196 

3,137 

3,138 

3, 079 

3,080 

3. 077 

3, 091 

3, 087 

3, 088 

Oflicial Gazettes mailed.. 

24, 309 

20, 254 

21,009 

26, 522 

21, 395 

21, 443 

25, 862 

20, 880 

26,199 

21,214 

21,125 

26, 582 

Index cards prepared... 

5, 566 

5, 232 

4, 950 

6, 276 

4, 508 

4, 738 

5, 392 

4, 612 

4, 058 

4,116 

3, 824 

4, 904 

Volumes, specifications. 













and drawings tiublish- 













ed. 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

Requisitions for printing 













and binding made. 

43 

35 

47 

30 

36 

26 

88 

37 

41 

43 

44 

34 

Letters received, exclu- 













sive of final fees. 

1, 652 

858 

724 

681 

618 

567 

673 

441 

494 

476 

399 

614 

Letters written, exclusive 







• 






of circulars . 

123 

126 

111 

150 

129 

114 

114 

79 

100 

72 

100 

95 

Notices of allowances is- 













sued. 

2,175 

1, 986 

2, 504 

2, 769 

2, 325 

2, 554 

2,176 

1, 873 

2, 086 

2, 005 

1, 623 

1,995 

Cases forfeited. 

235 

247 

196 

224 

220 

189 

162 

206 

257 

276 

321 

251 

Patents, &o., recorded... 

1, 541 

1, 949 

1, 796 

2, 338 

1, 676 

1,767 

2. 009 

■ 

1, 721 

1, 924 

1,537 

1,394 

1,827 


188.1. 


Cases revised. 

Patents and assignees 

2, 460 

2,172 

2, 852 

3, 449 

3, 001 

3, 040 

2, 308 

2,141 

2, 514 

2,372 2,126 

2, 280 

registered. 

Final fees applied and 

1, 959 

2, 485 

2,992 

2, 933 

2, 923 

3, 578 

2, 888 

2, 693 

3, 344 

2,858 2,724 

3, 286 

entered.. . 

1, 651 

1, 596 

1,879 

2,310 

2, 045 

2, 084 

2, 256 

1, 821 

2, 045 

2, 2261 1, 858 

1,964 

Trade-marks registered.. 

48 

91 

89 

128 

78 

100 

77 

84 

76 

109' 87 

100 

Labels registered. 

Certificates of registra- 

23 

35 

39 

39 

23 

34 

38 

30 

24 

27 31 

48 

tion recorded. 

Cases certified to assign- 

171 

126 

128 

167 

101 

134 

115 

114 

100 

136 118 

148 

ment division . 

1,375 

1,706 

2, 080 

1, 993 

2, 0.58 

2, 505 

2, 015 

1,872 

2, 373 

1,967 1,882 

2, 258 

Pages of proof read. 

Patent-heads i)repared, 
including trade-marks 

1,749 

2,155 

2,658 

2, 726 

2, 701 

3, 320 

2, 711 

2,484 

3, 082 

2,628' 2,472 

3,214 

and labels. 

Patents sealed, signed, 

1, 553 

1, 843 

2,219 

2,175 

2,171 

2, 654 

2,142 

1,997 

2,480 

2,110| 2,010 

2,417 

and mailed. 

1,382 

1,717 

2, 091 

2, 008 

2, 070 

2, 520 

2, 027 

1,883 

2, 380 

1 , 974 ' 1,892 

2,269 

Oflicial Gazettes issued.. 
Dummy cards for Oflicial 

26, 000 

26, 000 

32, 500 

26, 000 

26, 000 

32, 500 

26, 000 

26, 000 

32,500 

26, 000 26, 000 

32, 500 

Gazette prepared. 

322 

400 

490 

494 

496 

610 

594 

466; 564 

478 472 

570 


4402 INT—24 


















































































370 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR 


1885—Continued. 


Character of business. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Pages of decisions, &c., 
prepared . 

24 

30 

60 

34 

30 

34 

24 

26 

30 

24 

24 

32 

Subscribers to Official 
Gazette supplied 
weekly. 

1, 679 

1, 843 

1,900 

1,955 

2, 021 

2, 080 

1, 982 

2, 039 

2, 091 

2, 098 

2,154 

2,173 

Miscellaneous orders for 
Official Gazette and 
other publications 
tilled. 

584 

467 

605 

392 

349 

360 

223 

343 

344 

444 

370 

403 

Public libraries supplied 
with Official Gazette .. 

3, 238 

3, 229 

3, 238 

3, 238 

3, 230 

3, 235 

3, 227 

3, 212 

3, 206 

3,198 

3,197 

3,183 

Official Gazettes mailed.. 

19, 952 

20, 695 26, 595 

21,164 

21, 353 

26, 935 

21, 059 

21, 347 

26, 829 

21, 628 

21, 774 

27,183 

Index cards prepared.... 

3, 918 

4, 970 

5, 984 

5, 866 

5,846 

7,156 

5, 776 

5, 386 

6, 688 

5,716 

5, 448 

6, 572 

Volumes, specilications, 
and drawings published 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

Ilequisitions for printing 
and binding made ..... 

55 

37 

109 

60 

37 

40 

40 

40 

47 

49 

36 

32 

Letters received, exclu¬ 
sive of final fees. 

1, 596 

764 

764 

673 

563 

513 

677 

538 

509 

551 

423 

648 

Letters written, exclusive 
of circulars. 

144 

118 

146 

117 

104 

122 

78 

77 

101 

86 

87 

99 

Notices of allowance is¬ 
sued . 

2,460 
252 

2,172 

2, 852 

3,449 

3, 001 

3,042 

2, 308 

-2,141 

2,514 

2, 272 

2,126 

2, 280 

Cases torfeited. 

230 

203 

187 

208 

251 

288 

240 

466 

400 

354 

349 

Patents, (fee., recorded... 

1,553 

1, 843 

2, 219 

2,175 

2,171 

2, 654 

2,142 

1, 997 

2, 480 

2 , no 

2,010 

2, 417 


1886. 


Cases revised. 

2, 305 

2,180 

2, 635 

2,618 

2, 095 

2, 552 

2, 461 

1, 964 

2, 057 

2, 021 

2, 061 

2,102 

Patentees and assignees 




registered. 

2, 376 

2, 684 

3,313 

2, 820 

2,716 

3, 451 

2, 475 

3,145 

2, 297 

2, 429 

2, 867 

2, 451 

Final fees applied and 
entered . 

1,843 

1,717 

82 

2,018 

2, 032 

1, 687 

1,865 

1, 945 

1,585 

1, 934 

1, 599 

1, 668 

1, 845 

Trade-marks registered.. 

68 

91 

105 

95 

124 

67 

107 

62 

67 

69 

92 

Labels registered. 

18 

30 

37 

31 

36 

37 

29 

34 

21 

30 

39 

26 

Certificates of registra- 













tion recorded .. 

86 

112 

128 

136 

131 

161 

96 

141 

83 

97 

108 

118 

Cases certified to assign¬ 
ment division .. 

1, 650 

1,840 

2, 287 

1,907 

1, 846 

2, 083 

1,707 

2,153 

1,590 

1,677 

1,971 

1, 671 

Pages of proof road. 

2, 292 

2, 566 

3, 094 

2, 661 

2, 525 

2, 871 

2, 370 

2, 941 

2,148 

2, 383 

2, 734 

2, 380 

Patents-heads prepared. 








including trade-marks 
and labels. 

1, 740 

1, 966 

2, 466 

2, 055 

1,989 

2, 257 

1, 813 

2, 303 

1, 683 

1,779 

2, 090 

1,795 

Patents sealed signed, 
and mailed. 

1, 654 

1,854 

2, 298 

1,919 

1, 858 

2, 096 

1,717 

2,162 

1, 600 

1.682 

1. 982 

1, 677 

Official Gazettes issued .. 

26, 000 

26, 000 

32, 500 

20, 000 

26, 000 

32, 500 

20, 000 

32, 500 

26, 000 

26. 000 32. 500 

26, 000 

Dummy cards for Official 





Gazette iirepared. 

412 

462 

556 

476 

470 

526 

430 

552 

404 

430 

512 

442 

Pages of decisions, <fec.. 













prepared. 

28 

20 

30 

26 

30 

34 

28 

36 

28 

28 

36 

34 

Subscribers to Official 
Gazette supplied 












weekly... 

1, 79G 

1, 971 

2, 085 

2,109 

2,167 

2,198 

2,118 

2,177 

2, 224 

2, 205 

2, 247 

2,264 

Miscellaneous orders for 
Official Gazette and 




other publications fiUed. 

376 

427 

484 

493 

585 

379 

415 

220 

408 

297 

226 

244 

Public libraries supplied 











with Official Gazette .. 

3, 261 

3, 309 

3,818 

3, 295 

3, 288 

3, 264 

3, 257 

3, 156 

3,148 

3,132 

3.127 

3.122 

Official Gazettes mailed.. 

20, 503 

23, 357 

27, 237 

21, 467 

22, 405 

27, 689 

21, 915 

27, 041 

21, 896 

21, 685 

27. 076 21. 544 

Index cards jirepared.... 

4, 752 

5, 368 

6, 626 

5, 640 

5, 432 

6, 902 

4, 950 

6,290 

4, 994 

4, 858 

5 ; 734 

4 ; 902 

Volumes, specifications. 



and drawings publish- 













ed. 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

200 

Requisitions for printing 











and binding made. 

31 

39 

24 

35 

21 

43 

65 

25 

28 

43 

53 

30 

Letters received, exclu- 









sive of final fees. 

1, 684 

679 

668 

668 

501 

534 

636 

433 

437 

521 

469 

693 

Letters written, exclu- 










sive of circulars. 

125 

104 

131 

140 

106 

96 

92 

111 

64 

77 

67 

75 

Notices of allowance is- 










sued. 

2, 307 

2,180 

2, 635 

2,618 

2, 095 

2, 552 

2,461 

1, 964 

2, 057 

2, 021 

2, 061 

2,102 

Cases forfeited. 

299 

295 

305 

280 

236 

249 

248 

269 

' 318 

256 

' 249 

' 307 

Patents, (fee., recorded ... 

1,740 

1, 966 

2, 466 

2, 055 

1, 989 

2, 257 

1,813 

2, 303 

1, 683 

1,779 

2,090; 1,795 


























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


371 


1887. 


Character of business, j Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May 

June 

July 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. j Dec. 

Cases revised. 

2, 205 

1,820 

1, 67] 

73 

28 

101 

1,489 

2 , 061 

1, 590 

1,489 
20 , 000 

394 

28 

1,845 

473 

3, 206 
20. 409 

4,410 

200 

30 

1, 581 

75 

2, 205 
326 

1,590 

1,984 

2,192 

1, 591 
94 
31 

125 

1,758 

(2,416 

1, 883 

1,758 
26, 000 

452 

28 

1, 980 

311 

3, 223 
21, 058 
3, 968 

200 

38 

566 

57 

1,984 

215 

1,883 










Patents and assignees 
registered... 

.... 










Final fees applied and 
entered . 











Trademarks registered .. 
Labels registered . 





















Certibcates of registra¬ 
tion recorded . 











Cases certified to assign¬ 
ment division . 











Pages of pi oof read. 











Patent-beads prepared, 
including trade-marks 
and labels. 











Patents sealed, signed, 
and mailed. 











Oflicials Gazettes issued. 
Dummy cards for Official 
Gazette prepared. 





















Pages of decisions, &c., 
prepared . 











Subscribers to Official 
Gazette s u p 1 i e d 
weekly. 











Miscellaneous orders for 
Official Gazette and 
ol tier publications filled. 

Public l.tbraries supplied 
with Official Gazette... 

Official Gazettes mailed.. 

Index cards prepared .. 

Volumes, specifications, 
and drawings publish¬ 
ed . 
























* 



























Requisitions for printing 
and binding made. 











Letters received, exclu¬ 
sive of final fees . 

Letters wi itten, exclusive 
of circulars. 



• 


















Notices of allowance is¬ 
sued . 











Cases forfeited. 











Patents, &c., recorded... 






















The following statement sliows the average number of employds in tbe issue and 
Gazette division of tbe Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods 
specified: 


Tear. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

J une. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

45 

43 

45 

44 

45 

45 

45 

45 

47 

48 

46 

46 

45 

1885 . 

43 

44 

44 

44 

-44 

43 

43 

42 

45 

44 

42 

1886 . 

42 

43 

43 

44 

43 

43 

43 

46 

47 

46 

46 

40 


48 

47 


















1 



The work in this division is of so varied a character that, with the exceidion of the 
proof-readers, of whom there are from six to eight, not more than two persons are 
engaged in like duties. It is therefore manifestly impossible to rate their efficiency 
in the comparative form desired. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employds in the issue and Gazette division of the Patent Office, De- 
l)artment of the Interior: ^ 


Tear. 

Average 
No. of 
employ6s. 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average 
No. of hours 
employed 
daily. 

No. by 
proxy. 


45 

260 

7 

None. 


43 

266 

7 

None. 


44 

266 

7 

None. 


47 

43 

- 7 

None. 



















































































































372 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


t 

The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days,.and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the least number of days, 
in the issue and Gazette division of the Patent OflSce, Department of the Interior, 
during the periods specified : 


- 

1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

Afflviitinm TinTnlx'ir of days_____....... 

298 

287 

300 

48 

"MiiiiTniini iininlip.r of flays_________ 

45 

20 

19 

6 




MAIL KOOM DIVISION. 

lieport of the mail room division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of business 
and worTi, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular 
of March 23, 1887. 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below, in the mail room division of the United States Patent 
OflSce, Department of the Interior: 


Character of business. 

During 1884. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

During 1885. 

Disposed of in 
1885. 

During 1886. 

Disposed of in 
1886. 

During 1887. 

o 

^ or 

ai 00 

O rH 

Pm 

OQ 

Q 

Letters received. 

71,823 

71,823 

14, 004 

74, 004 

74, 854 

74, 854 

14, 209 

14, 209 



The following statement shows the average amount and character of business per¬ 
formed, transacted, and disposed of during the periods specified by the employes in 
the mail room division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior : 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Year. 

Average amount transacted during each month. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

Maj. 

Juno. 

J uty. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

Letters received... 
Do. 

1884 

1885 

1886 
1887 

8 , 286 
7, 278 
7, 355 
7, 558 

6,462 

5, 996 

6 , 342 
6,651 

7, 071 
7.199 
0, 924 

6,493 
6 , C04 
5, 870 

5, 999 

5, 738 

6 , 098 

5 , 399 
6,193 
5, 758 

5, 438 
5, 644 
5, 796 

5, 356 
5, 877 
5, 766 

5,327 
5, 607 
5,754 

5, 361 
6,130 
5, 830 

4, 674 

5, 629 

6 , 337 

5,957 

6 , 109 

7, 27 

Do. 

Do. 













The following statement shows the average number of employ<5s in the mail room 
division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the Interior, during the 
periods specified: 


















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


373 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods 
specified by the employes in the mail room division of the United States Patent Of¬ 
fice, Department of the Interior : 


Tear. 

Averajie 
No. of em- 
ploy 68 . 

Average 
No. of days 
present. 

Average 
No. of hours 
employed 
daily. 

N 

1884 .'. 

5 

2751 

273S 

7 

1885 . 

5 

7 

1886. 

5 

..log 

256ji 

7 

1887 (to March 1). 

5 

45| 

7 


The following statement shows the maximum number of days devoted to business 
by the employd present for the greatest number of days, and also the minimum num¬ 
ber of days devoted to business by the employd present for the least number of days, 
in the mail room division of the United States Patent Office, Department of the In¬ 
terior, during the periods specified. 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to Mar. 1). 

TVlfliVimiim rinTnber of days.________ 

276 

272 

289 

48 

Minimum number of days. 

122 

67 

88 

41 


MODEL HALL, 

Report of the model hall, Patent Office, on the methods of business and work, as requested 
by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 23,1887. 

The following statement shows the average number of employds during each month 
of the following years : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

1710 

13 

16^t 

16/? 

16 

16 

14 

14 

14 

1411 


14| 

loU 

m 

17/? 

12 

16/^ 

1885. 

16/r 

15^ 

15 

15^1 

16 

12t3 

17 

I'li 

17fg 

1886. 

17^g 

16/5 

15/7 

15 

14*“ 

131§ 

12 

12 

12* 

iiil 


12 " 

11#^ 










•^•^23 












A record of the amount of business transacted and disposed of by the employd doing 
the most, and the employd doing the least, during each month of the years named, has 
not been required, and the character of the work in the model halls is such that an 
itemized record would not have expressed the real value of the work performed by 
the individual. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the yearsnamed, 
also the number of days devoted to business by the employd present for the greatest 
number of days and employd present for the least number of days : 


Tear. 

Average No. 
of days. 

Honrs 

daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884. 

203J 

7 

In person... 

287R 

258?? 

1885 . 

187f^ 

7 

In person... 

285H 

25611 

1886. 

1887 (to March 1) . 

i7oe 

44 lU 

7 

7 

In person... 
In person... 

28511 

48 

258?? 

28/? 






































































374 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

Statement sLowing the principal items of business transacted in the model room of 

the Patent Office. 

The chief of the model room has charge of three large halls, containing 154,000 
models of patented inventions and a large number of models of pending applications 
in the secret archives of the office. He also has charge of the records relating to the 
duplication of models, models returned to inventors in rejected and abandoned cases, 
models of rejected applications loaned to institutions of learning, and models which 
were rescued and repaired after the great fire of lb77. 

He is responsible for the safe-keeping, the classification, the exhibition, the repair, 
and for the correctness of all duplicates of models certified to by the office; also for the 
proper adjustment of working models which have beconie inoperative from any cause. 

It is also a duty, which has required much time, to impart to examiners and their 
assistants, inventors, attorneys, and the public generally, who may be in search of 
particular devices, such information as will facilitate their search. 

It is a further duty to instruct, supervise, and direct the model attendants and la¬ 
borers in their respective work. 

The model attendants employed in the model halls are engaged in the following 
items of business: 1st. In opening model cases and showing models to whoever may 
be entitled to inspect them; for example, examiners in the office, inventors, attorneys, 
manufacturers, and such other persons as have a real interest in studying the state 
of the art in any given line. 

The entire attention of the attendants is required while so engaged, whether it be 
for a few minutes or for a whole day. Second, when not engaged, as above, they are 
occupied in cleaning the models and the inside of the model cases, putting new tags 
on the models, and revising and renewing thelistsof models in any particular model 
case. 

Many removjjls of models from hall to hall, and from one part of a hall to another, 
arising from changes in the classification and from the repair and reconstruction of 
the halls, has involved a large amount of extra work during the past few years. 

The laborers, one male and two females, are engaged cleaning sjoittoons, sweep¬ 
ing and scrubbing the floors, attending to the water-coolers, dusting stools, tables, 
cases, &c., cleaning the glass in the model cases and windows, of which there are 
about twenty-five thousand panes, and in keeping bright eight thousand nickel- 
plated knobs and hinges. 

From the foregoing it will be observed that an itemized record of the transactions 
of each employ6 could hardly have been kept, and, if it had been done, it wouM not 
necessarily be a measure of diligence. 


RECORD DIVISIOX. 

Heportof the record division, Patent Office, on the methods of business and work, as requested 
by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of March 23,1887. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the record room division 
of the office of Commissioner of Patents for the years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 (to 
March 1): 



* Indices. 


Together with a general supervision of the books in the room. 


The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the years named : 


Year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1885. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1886. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

2 

2 

2 

2 

1887 (to March 1). 

2 

2 










































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


375 


The following statement shows the amount of business transacted and disposed of 
hy the employ4 doing the most and the employ4 doing the least during each month 
of the years named: 

MAXIMUM. 



1884 . 

1885 . 

1886 . 

1887 (to March 1) 


5 

4 

4 

4 


4 

5 

5 

5 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

4 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5 

4 

5 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 

5 

5 

5 

4 












Engaged on indices and copying the same. 

From September, 1886, to November, 1886, charge of the hooks. 


The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and atten¬ 
tion devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the following 
years: 


Tear. 

Average 
Xo. of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

In person or 
by proxy. 


307 


6 by proxy. 
30 by proxy. 


302^ 

299 


6 i 

15| by proxy. 
In person.' 

1887 (to March 1).— 

47 



Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the record room 
division of the United States Patent Office. 

Keeping an index of the weekly issue, keeping an account of the books taken out 
and returned by the examining and other divisions of the office, and assisting attor¬ 
neys and others who request it. 

Statement of the record room division of the United States Patent Office, showing 
the methods adopted in transacting the principal business matters, beginning with 
the receipt of the matter by the Department or by any of the agents of the Depart¬ 
ment, and giving in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such 
business matters through the various divisions of the office and the various Bu- 
Teaus and divisions of such Bureaus, and employ48 through whose hands the same 
passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and the action thereon had 
and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of and notice thereof duly 
given to the proper party. 

Copying in a book, provided for the purpose, the names of the persons to whom 
patents were issued on each issue day. . 

The following statement shows the amount and character of business received, 
transacted, and disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed 
of at the dates specified below,in the division of record room, in the office of Commis¬ 
sioner of Patents; 

Issues during 1886 ... 

Issues disposed of in 1886. 

Indexing the issue, keeping an account of the books borrowed and returned by the 
different divisions, and rendering assistance to attorneys and others who request it. 





























































376 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


SCIENTIFIC LIBRAEY. 

Report of the scientific library division, United States Patent Office, on the methods of 
business and tvorJc, as requestedby Senate Select Committee and called for by Department 
circular of March 23,1887. 

Statement showing the principle items of business transacted in the scientific library 

of the Patent Office. 

First: Purchase of books for use of library and for the several divisions of the 
Patent Office. 

Second: Purchase by subscription of scientific i)eriodical8 and preparation of the 
last named for binding. 

Third : Translation of foreign languages for Patent Office and Bureaus of the Inte¬ 
rior Department. 

Fourth : Indexing of foreign patents and important books of reference of a scien¬ 
tific nature. 

Fifth: Alphabetizing of index cards for catalogue purposes. 

Sixth: Cataloguing of books purchased. 

Seventh: Examination of printed catalogues for the purchase of books. 

Eighth: Preparation of vouchers and keeping account of expenditures for library. 
Ninth : Attendance on all who make use of the library for its proper purposes, that 
is examiners and other employes of the Patent Office, as well as attorneys, applicants 
for patents, and all who consult the library in connection with patent business, persons 
engaged in scientific research, especially in connection with other Departments of the 
Government, and last, but not least, the general public in any research that brings 
them into the library. All classes named are on the increase. 

The following statement shows the average number of employes during each month 
of the following years: 



The work performed in the scientiBc library of the Patent Office is of a peculiar 
and technical nature, as is demonstrated in Exhibit B. There is no accurate data 
to found the statement required upon. The force for the past eighteen mouths, or 
during the incumbency of the present librarian, has hot been a permanent one, which, 
added to the nature of the business transacted, makes it impossible to render an ac¬ 
curate statement. 

The following statement shows the average number of days and the time and at¬ 
tention devoted to the consideration and transaction of business during the yeaas 
named, also the number of days devoted to business by the employ^ present for the 
greatest number of days and employ^ present for the least number of days : 


Year. 

Average No. 
of days. 

Hours 

daily. 

Maximum 
No. of days. 

Minimum 
No. of days. 

1884 .. 

225f 


263 

20 

1885 . 

2373 


277 

1 

1886 . 

23753 , 


276 

17 

1887 (to March 1). 

45^ 


48 

16 









































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 


37T 


THE U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 


Department of the Interior, 

Washington, August 25, 1887. 

n with the request contaiued in yotircommunication of 

tlje 18th March, ultimo, I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the Di¬ 
rector of the Geological Survey on the “ methods of business and work’’ in the sev¬ 
eral divisions ot his office. 

Very respectfully. 


Hon. F. M. Cockrell, 

Ghairnian Senate Solcct ConiniittsB on the Executive 


H L. MULDROW, 

Acting Secretary^ 
Departments. 


Department of the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. C., August 2'A, 1837. 

• I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement of the organization busi¬ 
ness methods, and work ot the United States Geological Survey, prepared in response 
to your circular of March 23, 1887, transmitting communications from Hon. F M 
Cockrell, chairman Senate Select Committee. 

It has been my aim to render the statement as thorough as possible, and I trust it 
may be found to meet all requirements. 

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your obedient servant, 

rri 1 . , c. J- POWELL, 

Ihe honorable the Secretary of the Interior. Director. 


Statement of the organization, business methods, and work of the United States 
Geological Survey, by J. W. Powell, Director. 

CONTENTS. 


Introductory remarks. 

The general plan of the Survey. 

The scientific organization: 

The geographic division and its work. 

The geologic divisions: 

General statement. 

Archean division. 

Atlantic coast division. 

Appalachian division. 

Lake Superior division. 

Glacial division. 

Montana division. 

Yellowstone Park division. 

Colorado division. 

California division. 

Volcanic division. 

Lower Mississippi division. 

Potomac division. 

The accessory divisions: 

• The divisions of paleontology. 

Division of chemistry and physics. 
Division of petrography. 

Division of mining statistics. 

Division of forestry. 

Schedule of scientific organization. 

The business organization and methods : 

The fiscal system: 

The principles controlling the system. 
The appropriations. 

The method of allotment. 

Methods of making purchases. 

The vouchers. 

Transportation upon bonded railroads. 
The disbursing ofiicers and their specific 
duties. 

The custodial system: 

The principles of the .system. 

The methods employed. 

Camp equipage and rations. 

The custodians of property. 

The museum system: 

The production of museum property. 

The acquisition, custody, and transfer of 
collections. 


The illustration system: 

The uses of illustrations. 

The production, custody, and disposition 
of illustrations. 

The reproduction of illustrations. 

The editorial system: 

The functions of the editorial division* 
The methods of work. 

The document system: 

The publications of the Survey. 

The principles recognized in the docu¬ 
ment system. 

The custody of documents and the mode 
of distribution. 

Summary. 

The library sj stom : 

The general plan of the library. 

The accessions. 

The circulation. 

The use of books from the Library of 
Congress. 

Bibliographic work. 

Personnel. 

The stationery system. 

The correspondence system. 

The general administrative system: 

The Survey regulations. 

Summary. 

The business transacted: 

Classification of operations. 

The work in scientific research. 

The work in applied science and research, 
combined: 

The topographic work. 

The chemic work 
The statistical work. 

The work in the business branch: 

The division of disbursements and ac¬ 
counts. 

The division of library and documents. 
The division of illustrations. 

The editorial and miscellaneous division. 
The work of the stationery clerk. 





378 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


LIST OF 

Notice (face anti reverse). 

Requisition for funds. 

Bond (face and reverse). 

Affidavit of surety. 

Order for purchase (with stub). ' 

Salary voucher (face and reverse). 

I*ay-ro-l (face and reverse). 

Traveling expense voucher (face, blank leaf, and 
reverse). 

Letter of instructions. 

Journey order (with stub). 

Sub-voucher (face and reverse). 

Purchase voucher (face and reverse). 
Transportation request, coupon acknowledgment, 
certilicate of Director, and stub. 

Transpoi tation voucher (face and reverse). 
Request for bills of lading. 

Shipping label (face and reverse). 

Notice of shipment—postal card (face and re¬ 
verse). 

Receipt for shipment—postal card (face and re¬ 
verse). 

Ledger, allotment book, voucher record, bonded 
railroad accounts, recoid of transportation re¬ 
quests, classilication of expenditures. 

AVeekly l eport. 

AVeekly abstract. 

Abstract of disbursements (face and reverse). 
Account-curreut. 

Quarterly abstract. 

Letter transmitting check. 

Letter transmitting account. 

Salary receipt. 

Salary envelope. 

'Invoice of property. 

Receipt for property. 

Property retui n. 

Property book. 

Record of property received. 

Record of property shipped. 

Notice of receipt of property. 

Receipt for field instruments. 

Report of inspecting officer (with reverse). 

Notice of auction sale (face and reverse). 

Affidavit of loss of property. 

General monthly report. 

Rations account. 

Field labels. 

Requisition for photographs. 

Proof stamps. 

Editor’s account with Public Printer. 

Notice to authors. 

Record of illustrations. 

Publications of the Survey. 

Record of documents. 

Requisition for photographs. 

Document ledger. 

Day-book. 

Address slips. 

Document check list. 

Document charge cards. 

Requisition for documents. 

Letters of transmittal. 

Receipt for documents. 


EXHIBITS. 

Envelope for receipt. 

Letter used in Smithsonian Exchange. 

Receipt used in Smithsonian Exchange. 

Weight book. 

Registration record. 

Request for free entry. 

Accessions catalogue. 

Book label. 

Catalogue of periodicals. 

Directions for binding. 

Requisition for binding. 

Letter to Government binder. 

Letter to stationery clerk. 

Requisition for map-mounting. 

Map catalogue. 

Catalogue card. 

Librar 5 ' call card. 

Library account card. 

Request to Library of Congress. 

Notice to return books. 

Notice of return of books. 

Receipt for return of books. 

General stationery requisition. 

Special stationery requisition. 

Earthquake record. 

Record of minerals, etc. 

Labels for record books. 

Weekly report. 

Transit record. 

Geodetic record. 

Report of analysis. 

I Book for computation of triangles, 
i Book for computation of geodetic distances. 

Book for computation of latitudes, longitudes, and 
azimuths. 

Book for computation of barometric altitudes. 
Book for computation of geodetic co-ordinates. 
Book for topographic records. 

Book of township plats, for topographic notes. 
Book for meteorological records. 

Book for transit records. 

Book of record of latitudes. 

Book for record of base measurements. 

Book for itinerary meteoi ological records. 
StationerV r equisition. 

Letter index card. 

Book of letters received. 

Book of letters sent. 

Library correspondence card. 

Letters used in library correspondence. 

Request for monthly report. 

Request for excuse from duty. 

Request for h ave of absence. 

Notice of granting leave of absence. 

Weekly time report. 

Report of absences. 

Monthly r eport of absentees. 

Record of employes. 

Requisition for photogr'aphic supplies. 
Requisition upon petrographic laboratory. 
Requisition upon mechanician. 

Pass card. 

Introduction. 

Monthly report. 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


379 


THE ORGANIZATION, BUSINESS METHODS, AND WORK OF THE UNITED 

STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

The business methods and operations of the Geological Survey are determined by 
its scientific methods and operations, and cannot be intelligently set forth withont 
somewhat extended statement of the organization of the Bureau. 

The Geological Survey was organized with Mr. Clarence King as Director in March, 
1879. In March, 1881, Mr. King resigned and the present Director was appointed. 
From its first organization to the present time the Survey has steadily grown, as Con¬ 
gress has enlarged its functions and increased its appropriations. During this time 
the scientific organization has gradually developed, as has been set forth in the offi- 
'Cial reports published annually. 

The organization, objects, and methods of the geographic division were briefly de¬ 
scribed in the fourth annual report of the Survey, and were set forth in greater detail 
in the sixth annual report. The organization, objects, and methods of the geologic 
division were also set forth in the sixth report, but in general terms only. In the 
seventh annual report certain methods of the geographic division were described, and 
the orgauiz;itiou of the geologic and accessory divisions was set forth at some length. 
Under an act of July 7, 1884, a joint commission was created to consider the organi- 
.zation of certain scientific bureaus of the Government, and in the volume of testi¬ 
mony published by that commission the business operations of the Geological Survey 
are in part set forth; but this partial presentation was unsystematic, the facts recorded 
being elicited in irregular order by interrogatories arising in the course of a long in¬ 
vestigation. In the eighth annual report of the Geological Survey, just prepared for 
the press, the general plan of the Survey and the relations between the scientific and 
business branches are set forth, and the business organization and methods are de¬ 
scribed at some length. 

The present statement is based as far as practicable upon the official reports of the 
Survey and the volume of testimony above referred to. The account of the general 
plan of the Survey is extracted from the report last mentioned. The description of 
the scientific organization is extracted from the sixth and seventh annual reports, 
and the description of the business organization, which is based on the testimony be¬ 
fore the Congressional commission, is extracteil from the last, but is supplemented 
by the addition of the blank forms used in the transaction of the business of the Sur¬ 
vey, together with descriptions thereof; and the whole is arranged in logical order, 
iind so exjianded and modified as to bring the entire statement up to date. 


THE GENERAL PLAN OF THE SURVEY. 

The function of the Geological Survey, as defined by its organic law, is “the geo¬ 
logical survey and the classification of the public lands, and examination of the 
<>-eological structure, mineral resources, and v>roduct8 of the national domain, and to 
•continue the x^r^paration of a geological map of the United States;’’ and this in¬ 
volves original research in many distinct lines, all intimately related, and together 
covering a considerable field. For t he prosecution of these researches in a systematic 
manner there have been organized in the Survey, as set forth in earlier reports, a 
number of scientific divisions—a division of geography, several divisions of geology 
and paleontology, a division of chemistry and physics, a division of forestry, a di¬ 
vision of statistics, &c. 

In this connection certain characters of geologic surveys should bo considered. 

In the prosecution of a land-parceling survey, it is generally the case that the plan 
of the work is developed in all its details before the survey is initiated ; and the work 
is thus one of applied science, in which no original research is required, and a fair de¬ 
gree of training, intelligence, mechanical skill, and experience in the work suffices 
for its satisfactory prosecution. In cadastral surveys, also, the plan is generally com- 
Xdeted before the work is begun, and the prosecution of the survey is therefore a 
work of applied science; but intelligence and judgment are frequently required in 
its execution. 

The work of making a topographic survey is largely one of applied science after 
the plan is developed. But in the iirosecution of a complete topographic survey of a 
state or country upon a large scale, a great variety of features must be recognized, 
and conventions suitable for representing them upon the plane surface of the maj) 
must be selected or invented; these conventions have to be modified with the local 
variation in topographic configuration, amount of culture, &c., in different parts of 
the area; and it has been found by experience that artistic skill, ingeunity, and ere- 


380 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


ative ability ou tlio part of tbo topographic surveyor are essential to the best work. 
Thus an elaborate topographic survey comes to involve not only such mechanical 
skill and experience as are required in the land-parceling survey, but also origi¬ 
nality, intelligence, and judgment of a high order. 

From the nature of the work, a geologic survey of a State or country cannot be 
made in accordance with definite plans formulated in advance; for such a survey in¬ 
volves the discrimination and classification of widely diverse and sometimes obscure 
phenomena in accordance with principles which have to be developed as the work 
progresses. The work of a geologic survey therefore requires originality, intelligence,, 
and judgment of the highest order, as well as special training and long experience. 
The geologist must bo a student, and must keep himself familiar with the writings 
of other students in various languages; in order to do the best work ho must be 
familiar with the progress of scieaice in its various branches ; and ho must be particu¬ 
larly well informed concerning the development of geologic science in all ])ortions of 
the globe. Ho must also possess sufficient literary and artistic skill to intelligibly 
set forth the results of his investigations both verbally and graphically ; and a large 
part of his work must be original and creative. 

In the Geological Survey it is recognized that talents of a high order must be se¬ 
cured to prosecute the surveys and researches which it is its function to perform, and 
that every geologist must be an author, actual or prospective. 

This important difference between surveys involving only api^lied science and those 
involving original research cannot be too strongly emphasized: in the one case the 
process is one of application of known principles, and nothing is added to general 
human knowledge or to intellectual progress; while in the other case the process is one 
of the evolution of x)rinciples themselves, in which every cycle multiplies huma-n 
knowledge. There is set before the surveyor by apjdied science a definite task, and a 
definite time is allowed in which to accomplish it; all of the conditions and elements 
are known: the factorsand the result are alike susceptible of quantitative measure¬ 
ment ; and by the appointed time, if the estimate has been carefully made, the task 
is completed. The surveyor whose methods involve original research, on the other 
hand, sees but dimly the task laid before him ; the conditions and elements are un¬ 
known ; neither the factors nor the results may be quantitatively measured; and 
while the end of a specified period of work may bring tangible results—in the shape 
of final geologic coloring of a certain area upon the map, in the shape of the discovery 
and definition of important mineral deposits, or in the shape of new principles affect¬ 
ing materially the industries related to his field of work,—it may bring nothing more- 
than new problems which must be solved before the jiractical results of his labors- 
can be attained. 

The scientific work of the Geological Survey is in part topographic and in part ge¬ 
ologic. The topographic work, together with that performed in certain of the acces¬ 
sory divisions of the Survey, is, at least in a measure, work of applied science, and 
thus canable of prosecution in accordance with prearranged j^lans, but it is in part 
original and creative; while the geologic work is almost wholly original and creative, 
involving in only a minor degree the application of known principles, and cannot 
therefore be definitely prearranged. The principal work of the Survey is geologic 
its plans are modified from time to time with its progress and with the growth of ge¬ 
ologic science; and there is concurrent modification of the work of the accessory di¬ 
visions. 

There is a third class of work performed in the Survey. In the various scientific di¬ 
visions money is necessarily expended for salaries, traveling expenses, wages of tem¬ 
porary assistants, field subsistence, and for other purposes; and it'hasbeen necessary 
to devise a comprehensive system of regulating and accounting for these expenditures 
and to organize a clerical and accounting force for that purpose. Moreover, property 
is acquired by the Survey from time to time in the form of instruments, animals anil 
vehicles, camp equipage, stationery, laboratory apparatus and materials, office equip¬ 
ments, &c. This property is of exceedingly diverse character, is generally of only 
limited value in any particular locality, and is acquired and held in all parts of the 
country; and it has been necessary to devise a comprehensive plan for regulating the 
custody and use of such property. Again, property required in the prosecution (Tf the 
work of the Survey is produced in the form of maps, sketches, photographs, manu¬ 
scripts, collection of minerals, fossils, &c.; and the custody, use, and disposition of 
such property also require regulation. Finally, the published maps and printed re¬ 
ports, &c., produced by the Survey constitute ])roperty, the disposition of which is 
regulated by law ; and it has been necessary to provide for the distribution of this prop¬ 
erty to the ))ublic in accordance with law, and to organize a force for that purpose. 

To meet these various requirements there has been developed within the Geolo'o-- 
ical Survey a general plan for the conduct of its business affairs, comprehending (1) 
a fiscal system, (2) a custodial system, (3) a museum system, (4) an illustration sys¬ 
tem, (5) an editorial system, (6) a document system, (7) a library system, (8) a station- 



THE J3EPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 381 

>€iry system, and (9) a correspondence system by wliicli tlie administration of the Sur¬ 
vey is extended and sn])plemented. 

The organization in tliis branch of the Survey is necessarily less complete than the 
ditferentiatiou of function. There is a definitely organized division of disbursements 
and accounts, but all business transacted in this division is carried on under the imme¬ 
diate and constant supervision of the Director, and the division is thus a part of the ex¬ 
ecutive machinery of the Survey; and moreover, there are several disbursing agents 
not immediately connected with this division, most of whom are geologists or topog- 
japhers. In the same division there is an officer who is the general custodian of the 
public pro[)erty in the possession of the Survey, and accounts for all such property 
not specifically charged to the other custodians, most of whom are heads of scientific 
•divisions and their assistants. There is a publication division, by which the distri¬ 
bution of the publications of the Survey is effected, in which the custody of the li¬ 
brary is vested, and by which that part of the correspondence of the Survey relating 
to publications and to the purchase and exchange of books, maps, &c., is carried on. 
There is also a division ot illustrations, which lias charge of the drawings, sketches, 
photographs, and photographic apparatus and materials, and by which the illustra¬ 
tions (other than maps) required for the publications of the Survey are pre])ared ; but 
the collection and elaboration of the materials for maps, the preparation of this ma- 
t-erial for the engraver, and the revision of map proofs, &c., are i)erformed in the 
division of geography, in which the custody of map material is vested. There is an 
■editorial and miscellaneous division, in which the manuscripts designed for publica¬ 
tion by the Survey are i)ut in condition for the press; the y)rools revised, &c.; and the 
general correspondence of the office is in charge of this division. Property acquired 
and produced by the Survey in the form of collections, minerals, fossils, &c., remains 
in the custody of the division by which the material is acquired or produced until its 
investigation is completed, when it is transferred to the National Museum, generally 
through the petrographic division, the chemic division, or the paleontologic divis¬ 
ions, the heads of which are honorary curators of the Museum. 

There is thus a combination of functions running through not only the non-scientific 
branch of the Survey but extending also to the scientific divisions; and in so far as 
is practicable without loss of efficiency on the part of the heads of the different scien¬ 
tific divisions, it is the policy of the Survey to charge them with the disbursement of 
iuuds in their divisions and with the custody of the property used, acquired, and pro¬ 
duced therein. This arrangement has been found expedient, partly because it is 
economic and ])artly because it tends to promote harmony and unity throughout the 
• organization by keeping the different officers of the Surv^ey familiar with the opera¬ 
tions of divisions other than their own. 

Thus the operations of the Greological Surv(5y belong to three branches, in each of 
'Which the grade of work is distinct. The principal branch of work is original re¬ 
search, or work of pure science, which cannot be antecedimrly planned except in 
general terms, and in which the results are seldom susceptible of (juantitative meas¬ 
urement. There is a collateral branch of work—that involved in the topographic 
survey—growing out of the want of maps of the country suitable for geologic pur¬ 
poses, which is partly a work of applied science, but iu wliich originality and crea¬ 
tive ability are involved in large measure. And there is a third branch of the work 
of the Survey, depending upon the others and modified by their requirements from 
time to time, comprehending its business operations, which occupies the same plane 
as that of commercial and financial institutions and administrative departments gen¬ 
erally, in which the work may be antecedently planned and systematically controlled 
at every stage, and in which the results are susceptible of quantitative measurement 
in commonly recognized units. 


THE SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION. 

THE GEOGRAPHIC DIVISION AND ITS WORK. 

At the time the Geological Survey was organized the field geologist found within his 
reach maps of very few portions of the country that he could utilize iu delineating 
geolo^^’ic phenomena; accordingly, as has been fully set forth in different reports, re¬ 
course was had to existing statutory authority for the organization of a geographic 
division. The chief functions of this division are : First, the prosecution of a topo¬ 
graphic survey of the entire country : second, the preparation of topographic maps 
thereof, on such scales as are required for the accurate delineation of geologic struct¬ 
ure ; and, third, geodetic, co-ordination of the topographic surveys iu such manner 
that when they are completed and the topographic maps are combined they will con¬ 
stitute an accurate geographic map of the entire country, showing, with a good de¬ 
cree of exactness, its extent; its relations to contiguous countries; the boundaries of 


382 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


states, counties, &c. ; the positions on the earth’s surface of cities, towns, railwaya,^ 
highways, and other public cultural features; the creeks, rivers, lakes, coast lines, 
and other hydrographic features; and the mountains, hills, valleys, canons, plains, 
and other hypsographic features. 

In the establishment of the plan for the topographic surveys and maps, the follow¬ 
ing considerations have had chief control: 

(1) The area of the United States is very great, being about three million square- 
miles, exclusive of Alaska, and no nation has yet undertaken to exeente a work of this 
character over a region of such magnitude. It has therefore been deemed of prime 
importance that the survey should be conducted with the utmost regard to economy. 

(2) The present purpose for which the the map is constructed is the representation of 
the areal geology of the country, and the map should be constructed on such scales and 
should represent such topographic features as are of prime importance in geologic in¬ 
vestigation ; but while the immediate purjmse of the map must be thus considered, it 
should be remembered that it may be made useful for many other important purposes 
in showing the geographic distribution of phenomena. Once constructed and en¬ 
graved, the plates may serve for new editions from time to time, to be used for a 
great variety of purposes: in the study of drainage systems; in the study of the regi¬ 
men o.f rivers; in the study of the great subject of irrigation; in the study of the 
distribution of forests; in the study of the distribution of artesian waters; in the 
study of catchment areas for the supply of water to cities; in the study of the drain¬ 
age of swamps and overtiowed lamls; in the study of soils and the classitication of 
lands for agricultural purposes; and in the laying out of highways, railroads, and 
canals. The maps will also be of prime importance for strategic and administrative 
purposes in the event of war. The uses for topographic maps when once constructed 
are very many, but there is no demand more exacting than that made by the geolo¬ 
gist, and if properly made to meet his wants they will subserve all the purposes of 
the civil engineer, the agriculturist, the military engineer, and the naturalist ; and 
it is believed that a topographic survey has been inaugurated which will meet all 
prrCctical wants. 

(3) The experience of various geologic surveys prosecuted by the General Govern¬ 
ment and by the several States has shown that a map on a scale of 1; 250000 or about 
four miles to the inch, is necessary for the intelligent presentation of the principal 
fixets of structural geology; that in all of those portions of the country where the 
structure is in any degree complex a smaller scale is inadequate ; and that in many 
portions of the country where the structure is highly complex and the uses of the 
maps vary, larger scales are required. 

(4) The need for a topographic map is perennial, and the map once constructed 
should be enduring, that the expense of freqtnt resurveys may be avoided ; and this, 
important condition has been carefully weighed. 

(5) The cost of the survey isixaid from the National Treasury : it is therefore made 
at the expense of the people of the United States, and should meet the wants of the 
greatest number of persons; and the map should bo so simple that it can be used by 
all people of intelligence. 

The geographic basis of the map is a trigonometric survey, by which datum points 
are established throughout the country—that is, base lines are measured and a triau- 
gulation is extended therefrom. ITiis trigonometric work is executed on a scale only 
sufficiently refined for map-making purposes and will not be directly useful foV 
geodetic purposes, i. e., in determining the figure of the earth. The hypsometric work 
is based upon the railroad levels of the country. Throughout the greater part of the 
country there is a system of railroad lines, constituting a network. The levels or 
profiles of these roads have been established with reasonable accuracy, and as they 
cross one another at a multiplicity of points, a system of checks is aiforded, so that 
the railroad surface of the country can be determined with all the accuracy necessary 
for the most refined and elaborate topographic maps. From such a hypsometrre 
basis the reliefs for the whole country are determined, by running lines of levels, 
by trigonometric constrnction, and in mountainous regions bybarometric observa¬ 
tion. 

The primary triangulation having been made, the topography is executed by a va¬ 
riety of methods, adapted to the peculiar conditions found in various portions of the 
country. To a large extent the plane table is used. In the hands of the topographers 
of the Geological Survey the plane table is nor simply a portable drafting table for 
the field, but is practically an instrument of triangulation, and all minor positions of 
the details of topography are determined through its use by trigonometric construc¬ 
tion. 

The plan for the map contemplates map sheets of three different scales, suited to 
the requirements of the various sections of the country, namely, 1:62500, 1:125000, and 
1:250000. The first is approximately 1 mile to the inch, the second 2 miles to the 
inch, and the third 4 miles to the inch. The considerations governing the scale are, 
first, ixresent or prospective density of settlement; second, economic importance; 


THE DEPARTxMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 383 

tLird, complexity of geologic phenomena; fourth, degree of detail in topographic 
features. 

The map is engravxd in sheets, of which the unit is the square degree, i. e., one 
degree of latitude and one ot longitude. On the 4-mi.lc scale each square degree 
forms one sheet; on the 2-mile scale each square degree forms four sheets ; while on 
the 1-milo scale each S(iuare degree forms sixteen sheets. Four-mile sheets are desig¬ 
nated by the numbers indicating the latitude and longitude of the southeast corner 
of the area represented. Thus 40-100’’ designates the sheet which covers the degree 
immediately north ot latitude 40 and west of longitude 100. The 2-ruile sheets are 
designated in the same way, with the addition of the further description '‘SE.|-,” 
‘^NE. ^‘NW. as the case may be. In like manner the 1-mile sheets 

are designated by the numbers representing the latitude and longitude of thedegree, 
with the addition of the })roper fractional desiguations, such as “SE. 4 of the SE.4,” 
&c. ■' 

Experience has shown that relief can best be expressed in contours with varying 
vertical intervals deiiending upon the character of the topographic relief; that in 
the more rugged mountain countries intervals of 200 feet will serve all necessary pur¬ 
poses; but that the intervals should grade down from 200 feet to 20 feet as the topo¬ 
graphic leatures become more plain. Experience has also shown that it is not neces¬ 
sary in general to run contours on the ground, but that skillful to]»ographers can 
represent the vertical element of topography with sufficient accuracy for the purposes 
of a geologic maj), on any scale selected for such a map, by constructing contours 
from salient and controlling points determined trigonometrically and barometrically 
at varying intervals depending upon the characteristic features of the landscape. 

Although the method of representing relief in contours or grade curves has long been 
in vogue in this and other countries, these conventions have usually been supple¬ 
mented by hachures or brush shading whenever it became necessary to represent 
widely diverse types of topography on the same map. To a certain extent, therefore, 
the jilan of representing the relief of all parts of the surface of a country upon a 
uniform series of maps by means of contours alone, was an innovation; and it is a 
source of gratification to find that this plan is eminently successful.’ The objec¬ 
tions to the use of hachures and brush shading are manifold: they obscure the 
map and conceal the conventions employed for the representation of other con¬ 
ditions and features of the surface ; they easily degenerate into generalized conven¬ 
tions for imperfectly ascertained facts of relief, and thus fail to couvej' accurate in¬ 
formation ; they lead to the development of special artistic* styles by the several 
draughtsmen employed upon the work, and thus do not have a uniform meaning from 
sheet to sheet; in districts of complex topogra[>hy they are difficult of interpretation; 
and they represent reliefs only in a qualitative manner. Another x>otent reason 
for the rejection of hachuriug methods of represent!ng'topograiffiical reliefs inheres 
in their excessive cost. The drawing and engraving of toi){>graphy with hachures 
is many times more expensive than the drawing and engraving of the same in 
contours. In fact, hachure drawing and engraving almost equal in exx^euse the 
lield work by which the facts are collected. In the xireparatiou of a rnaxs of a region 
so great as the United States—three million square miles in area, exclusive of Alaska— 
questions of economy are of prime importance. The method of hachuring has gained, 
and yet maintains, a strong hold among geographers because of its artistic capabili¬ 
ties ; for by means of hachures alone, or in combiuation with either brush shading 
or contours, or both, it is possible to produce maps that have much artistic beauty 
and as forcibly express the artistic conceptions and individuality of their authors as 
do paintings and statuary. But therein lies the imperfection of the system; fer in 
so far as the tinished map expresses the individuality of the author, in just so far 
does it defeat the purpose for which it was designed, namely, the accurate representa¬ 
tion of a x>ortiou of the earth’s surface. 

The prosecution of the topographic survey, unlike the original research of the 
geologist, is to a large extent a work of applied science; and, after the adoption of 
suitable methods and standards, the surveys and the preparation of maps can be 
carried forward with few changes in organization save those demanded by changes 
in the field of operation. Ex^ierieuce has shown, however, that there is constant 
imxu’ovement in methods and elevation of standards. 

Anterior to the organization of this division of the Geological Survey, topographic 
science and topographic art had received high development through other organiza¬ 
tions in this country and in Europe ; but to a large extent such work had been ijrose- 
cuted with the object of producing charts for military purposes on the one hand, or for 
fiscal purposes oii the other; and thus the art had been directed to the production of 
military maps and cadastral maps. During the last half century the science of geol¬ 
ogy, because of its great industrial importance, has been greatly developed; and as 
all the civilized nations of the earth have promoted and endowed geologic research, 
and as geologic maps are among the most important results arising therefrom, the 
need for topographic maps as a basis for geologic maps has largely modified the nuip- 


384 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


making systems of the world. Yet the earlier purposes for which they were made 
largely prevailed, with the result of still producing maps chiefly valuable for military 
or cadastral uses. Now, such maps are on scales too large for general industrial pur¬ 
poses, and must represent such a variety of facts as to make them exceediugly com¬ 
plex ; still further, the multiplied data presented are to a large extent ephemeral, 
and the maps which represent them must be frequently revised by resurvey, redraw¬ 
ing and re-engraving. 

In developing the toi)Ographic work of the Geological Survey, especial attention 
has been given to the industrial purposes for which maps are made ; for the best 
topographic map for geologic purposes is also the best for other scientiflc and indus¬ 
trial purposes. 

If a good topographic map of the cotintry be constructed, having in view the rep¬ 
resentation of three classes of facts: first, public cultural features; second, hydro- 
graphic features; third, hyi)sographic features, such a map is a proper basis for a 
geologic map. It is also a proper basis for all other maps designed for industrial 
purposes; and it is a proper basis for general military maps, and provides the funda¬ 
mental data for cadastral maps. Such a map ot the United States is now in process 
of construction. 

Having decided the scale and the class of facts to be represented upon the map, the 
survey in the field must be adjusted thereto for economic considerations; and this 
fact has been kept persistently in view in the organization of this branch of the serv¬ 
ice. 

The cartographic conventions, i. e., the symbols to be used on the maps for the 
represeutatit>n of the cultural, hydrographic, and hyp 80 gra))hic facts, have been re¬ 
duced to the greatest possible simplicity, in order that the maps may be easily under¬ 
stood and be of value to all classes of people. As the cost of the survey is borne by 
all the people of the United States, it was not deemed just that a map system should 
be adopted with a view to subserve the wants of trained engineers only. Still it is 
believed that while the system selected is so simple as to be easily used by all, it yet 
represents, with ])recision and accuracy, all the topographic facts desired by the en¬ 
gineer. 

The maps already completed and engraved by the Survey include a great variety 
of topographic types, but all of these have been reduced to the uniform standard of 
cartographic representation adopted at the commencement of the work. The expe¬ 
rience gained in the prosecution of the surveys upon which these maps are based, and 
the preparation of the maps themselves, demonstrate that the method of representing 
relief by contours not only enables the topographer to express the condition of the 
earth’s surface quantitatively, but that within certain definite limits it permits the 
expression of artistic conceptions, and hence the production of maps which are highly, 
but not obtrusively, artistic and at the same time strictly accurate. 

The sheets are engraved on copper, three ])lates being required for each. On one is 
engraved the hydrography; on the second, the hyjisography, represented by contours 
or grade curves ; and on the third, the projection lines, lettering, and public culture. 
Private culture is not represented on the map. The hydrography is printed in blue, 
the hypsography in brown, and the lettering aud culture in black. 

The recognition and delineation of the features of tlie earth’s surface bj^ the topog¬ 
raphers of the Survey has become a highly developed art, depending on experience 
and mechanical skill, the training and co-ordination of the eye and hand, and the 
development of artistic perception of the reliefs diversifying the land. The value of 
the reliefs aud the character of the topographic forms determined thereby vary from 
place to place, and the features of the surface are variously concealed by tbrests ; and 
the methods of surveying in diflerent localities are moditied by the topography, the 
degree of concealment by forests, the facilities for travel aud subsistence, and various 
other conditions. So the character of the special training of the topographer varies 
locally. Nevertheless, special work in any field is beneficial, aud in a measure pre¬ 
pares the surveyor to enter upon other fields of work intelligently and promptly; 
and accordingly the retention of skilled topographers is found to be" highly advanta¬ 
geous. Hence the changes in organization of this division of the Survey, required 
from time to time as the work is completed in certain areas and initiated in other 
areas, do not generally involve material changes in the personnel. 

Under the statutes relating to the Geological Survey there is no provision for the 
general publication of purely topographic maps. These maps can be published only 
as a basis for “geological and economic maps illustrating the resources :ind classifi¬ 
cation of the lauds,” but a small edition is necessarily printed for the use of the em- 
plo.v6s aud collaborators of the Survey in the prosecution of field work. 

The demand for topographic maps has grown to great proportions, and it may bo 
found advisable to ask the authority of Congress for their general distribution. 

Although the topographers employed by the Survey are necessarily competent 
draughtsmen and usually construct their own maps, it has been found desirable, in 
■ order (1) to secure uniformity in style and character, and (2) to obviate the necessity 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


385 


for employing tlie topographers in the office during months in which they might more 
profitably be employed in the field, to organize a section of topographic drawing. In 
like manner the necessity for the adoption of nniform standards for the astronomic 
and geodetic work required in the co-ordination of the tojjographic surveys has led to 
the organization of an astronomic and computing section. Finally, it has been found 
economic, both in time and money, to establish a section in which are made the repairs 
of the large number of instruments constantly required by the division. 


THE GEOLOGIC DIVISIONS. 

General statement. 

In organizing the general geologic work it became necessary, first, to consider what 
had already been done in various portions of the United States; and for this purpose 
\)he compilation of a general geologic map of the United States was begun, and was 
completed in time for publication in the fifth annual report. This map, which is colored 
by groups, represents the general knowledge of the geologic structure of the United 
States acquired antecedent to the organization of the Geological Survey. 

At this point it became necessary to consider the best methods of apportioning the 
work; that is, the best methods of dividing the geologic work into parts to be assigned 
to the ditiereut corps of observers. A strictly geographic ai)portioumeut was not 
deemed wise, from the fact that an unscientific division of labor would result, and the 
same classes of problems would to a large extent be relegated to the several corps 
operating in the field and in the laboratory. It was thought best to divide the work, 
as far as possible, by subject-matter rather than by territorial areas ; yet to some ex¬ 
tent the two methods of division coincide. 

It also became necessary at the outset of the geologic investigation to develop a 
system of taxonomy applicable to American rocks, and a system of conventions 
whereby these rocks might be properly distinguished upon maps issued by the Sur- 
A^ey, and properly designated and defined in the accompanying letter-press. But 
there are difficulties in the way of developing such systems of taxonomy and graphic 
conventions. In the first i)lace, there has grown up with geologic science a conven¬ 
tional language involving a taxonomy and a method of graphic representation which 
is based on the phenomena of other countries, and which is accordingly, to some ex¬ 
tent, inapplicable to American rocks ; it is nevertheless desirable to adhere as closely 
as possible to this conventional language-because of its wide adoption. In the sec¬ 
ond place, it is manifest that a great portion of the rockmasses to be classified and 
represented od the maps have not yet been discovered. It has accordingly been 
necessary to devote much labor and thought to the development of a cartographic 
system Avhich shall meet the following among other conditions: (1) it must be suf¬ 
ficiently definite to bo readily intelligible to all users of the geologic maps published 
by the Survej^, whether their interests lie in the scientific relations of the phenomena 
represented or in the economic resources of the areas mapped ; (2) it must be sufii- 
ciently elastic to yield to the requirements, not only of the tentative classification of 
the rocks now in Vogue, but of such final classification as may be evolved after the 
extension of geologic operations over the whole country ; and (3) it must be sufficiently 
comprehensive to represent, without duplication of conventions and symbols, all rock- 
masses of the entire dominion of the United States which it may at any time become 
necessary to discriminate for scientific or economic reasons. 

Pending the completion of a cartographic system suitable for present and future 
needs, geologic investigation of course has continued ; and indeed the results of such 
investigation, as developed from time to time, have served an important purpose in 
determining the limitations and requirements of the cartographic system. Moreover, 
questions as to the taxonomic positions of the rockmasses discriminat' d in the field 
have arisen from time to time, and will continue to arise in the future. The carto¬ 
graphic system devised to meet the various considerations involved must, therefore, 
be applied from time to time, as research progresses; and the rockmasses discrimi¬ 
nated by each geologist in the field have to be correlated with those discriminated by 
every other geologist, and the entire sum of observations has to be combined and 
built up into a single comprehensive and symmetric system. To this end exhaustive 
study of the current and antecedent literature of American geology and occasional 
field investigations in critical .areas are required. 

The Geological Survey inherited much unfinished work of different surveys in the 
Western Territories previously prosecuted under the auspices of the Government. 
Since it seemed desirable to carry forward and complete these surveys as rapidly as 
possible, investigations were continued in the fields covered by them, and thus the 
early organizatimi of the Survey was determined in part by antecedent geologic work. 
At the same time, however, demands for local geologic and mineralogic investigations 
came from various portions of the country, including the older and long-settled States^ 

4102 INT- 25 



386 


THE DEPARTMEINT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Mid as soon as the legality of sncli action was established the geologic operations of 
the Survey were extended into the older States, and a miniber of divisions were 
organized and intrusted with the investigations. 

Jt should be explained that by its organic lavv the Geological Survey is inhibited, 
both implicitly and directly, from making a geologic survey upon a cadastral plan, 
i. e.,from making investigtitions rehiting to the value of properties of indivitiuals 
and private corponitious. Accordingly, its work in economic geology is limited to Hie 
observjttion and mapping of the formations within which mineral resources lie; the 
general distribution and characteristics of coal beds, ore bodies, and other valuable 
mineral deposits; and the investigation of questions relating to the origin and tax¬ 
onomic relations of the formations themselves and of their contained minerals. 

Within the above limitation it has been found possible to make the scientific in¬ 
vestigations of the Survey of high economic value, (1) by extending its operations into 
those portions of the different States in which the natural resources have not yet been 
fully developed, and (2) by developing and applying such systems of classification of 
the formations as will at the same time enable and compel the geologist to discrimi¬ 
nate in the field and clearly distinguish on the maps of the Surre 3 ^ those rockmass(;s 
which are economically important. Both of these means of rendering the investi¬ 
gations of the Survey of maximum vahie to the country have been adopted. More¬ 
over, friendly relations exist between the United States Geological Survey and the 
geologic 8 urve 3 ^s prosecuted under the auspices of different States of the Union ; and 
in many cases partial co-operation with those States has been effected in such manner 
that the State geologists leave to the Federal Survey the investigation of such general 
scientific questions as involve operations beyond the limits of their own States as well 
as within them and avail themselves of the results of this investigation, and in return 
jiermit the general Survey to utilize the results of their own more strictU'^ economic 
studies. 

Many of the investigations undertaken within the public domain are purely' eco¬ 
nomic in character, and all give promise of results of economic importance—either im¬ 
mediately^ through the discovery and development of natural resources, or remotely 
through the additional knowledge gained from them as to the modes of origin anil 
laws of distribution of ore deposits, the relations between geologic structure and agri¬ 
cultural capabilities, &c. 

To meet the various requirements and conditions a number of geologic divisions 
have been organized. 

Archean J)ivi8ion, 

The rocks of the earth are divisible into three great classes: (1) The crystalline 
or azoic masses (often denominated Archean) which form the base of the geologic 
column, and are destitute of fossils and generally Avithout traces of organic life ; (2) 
the clastic or fragmentary strata, which constitute the greater part of the geologic 
column, and represent nearly the whole of that portion of the history of the earth 
with which geologists have become familiar, and which generally contain the remains 
of animal and vegetal organisms by^ which they may be classified; and (3) the volcanic 
rocks which have been erupted at A'^arious stages of the world’s history and are inter¬ 
calated in various parts of the geologic column. 

The great mineral Avealth contained in the first of these systems of rocks renders 
their study one of the most important in the w^hole field of economic geology. More¬ 
over, they represent one of the most interesting and at the same time obscure stages 
in the geologic development of the globe; but, by reason of their general conceal¬ 
ment beneath newer rocks, as well as by^ reason of the absence of fossils and the 
dearth of other criteria for their genetic and chronologic classification, the relations 
of these rocks to one another, to Hie clastic and volcanic series, and to their contained 
minerals, are little understood. There are even grave doubts whether the best meth¬ 
ods of investigating these rockmasses and the best criteria for their classification 
have yet been dev’cloped. The Archean rocks, therefore, olfer one of the most prom¬ 
ising subjects for geologic study in this and other countries; and it w^as imperative 
in view' of both its scientific and its economic aspects, that such investigations should 
be commenced in this field as will result not only in the discovery and classification 
of phenomena, but in the general advancement of our knowledge of the principles 
inA'olved in this branch of geologic science. 

The investigations in Archean geology of the eastern portion of the United Stores 
w'ere intrusted to Prof. Raphael Pumpelly. 

Atlantic Coast Division. 

It is estimated that there are 100,000 square miles of coastal lands in this 
country which, subject to inundation by tidal and fluviatile waters, are valueless 
in their present condition. It would appear, from the experience of other countries 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


387 


Hi at by the employment of proper methods these lands might he reclaimed tand ren¬ 
dered among the most valuable of the agricultural lands of the United States. But 
the relative altitude of land and sea is not constant: in some places the ocean is en¬ 
croaching upon the land, and elsewhere the land is emerging from beneath oceanic 
waters; and even wln^re the level of the coastal lands is stationary, the shores are 
undermined and eaten away by the waves, and thus the sea gains upon the land in 
another way. Now it would be unwise to inaugurate expensive systems of reclam¬ 
ation ot inundated lands without first ascertaining whether these lands are under¬ 
going movement, and if so in what direction ; and in order to guide engineering opera¬ 
tions directed to such reclamation, a general investigation of the changes in level 
now in progress along the Atlantic coast has been undertaken. 

Connected with these questions of oscillation of the land and the formation of 
coastal marshes is that relating to the origin and distribution of the bog ores, phos- 
phatic beds, &c., now in process of formation in the marshes of the Atlantic coast, 
and, imbedded in the Cenozoic formations thereof, constituting one of the most impor¬ 
tant mineral resources of the Atlantic States. 

These subjects of investigation and others of related character have been jilaced in 
the hands of Prof. N. S. Shaler. 


Appalachian Division. 

By reason of its vast extent, its symmetry of structure, and the economic import¬ 
ance of the minerals contained in its rocks, the Appalachian mountain system has 
long been regarded as one of the most promising tields for geologic sHuly to be 
found in any country. The publication of an elaborate treatise growing out of 
the investigations prosecuted under State auspices in Pennsylvania by H. D. Rog¬ 
ers, nearly thirty years ago, directed the attention of capitalists and scieutilic 
men to the portion of the field lying within that State, and the great development of 
the mineral resources of the Keystone State in the various forms of anthracite and 
bituminous coal, iron, petroleum, and natural gas must be attributed in large part 
to the stimulus afforded by these early scientific researches and the extensive publi¬ 
cation of the results thereof; for the nearly commensurate mineral resources of Vir¬ 
ginia, which were also investigated under State auspices about the same time by 
the equally eminent W. B. Rogers, the final results of whose researches were unfor¬ 
tunately never published, have remained to a great extent unknown. 

The surveys instituted by the Geological Survey in the Appalachian region traverse 
the fields already occupied by the brothers Rogers and other geologists who have 
studied the region, and in addition to their purely economic results these surveys 
jtromise to throw much light on various obscure questions in geology : e. g., the origin 
of the sediments of which a large portion of the rocks of the American continent are 
composed; the geographic configuration of the eastern portion of the American con¬ 
tinent during different stages in its geologic development; the distribution of faunas 
and their modification by local conditions, and hence their value as bases^or geologic 
classification ; the petrographic diversity of formations laid down within the same 
geographic province; the orig^in and mechanism of mountain making movements and 
of ^mtinental oscillations; the metamorphism and other alterations of rocks pro¬ 
duced by various causes; the genesis of coal and other carbonaceous minerals, and 
many other questions equally important in philosophic geology. The economic re¬ 
sults of these researches give equal xiromise. 

This division is in charge of Mr. G. K. Gilbert, who has a strong corps of assistants. 


Lake Sujjerior Division. 

The copper-bearing rocks of the Lake Superior region (known among geologists 
as the Keweenaw Series) have been investigated in some detail by the State surveys 
of Michi«-an and Wisconsin, and the northward continuation of the same rocks has 
been examined by the officers of the Canadian survey. But so long as geologists con¬ 
fined their attention to this single formation as an isolated congeries of phenomena, 
they were unable to ascertain its genetic and structural relations to the other forma¬ 
tions of the country, and great confusion and uncertainty prevailed with respect to 
the copper-bearing series of rocks up to a very recent date. 

When the operations of the Geological Survey were extended into the older States, 
Prof. R. D. Irvino- was employed to investigate these and associated rocks, not only 
within the limited area in which alone copper mines have been opened, but also in 
adjacent parts of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and, as his reports have 
shown, his studies have already extended over a considerable area and have been pro¬ 
ductive of valuable results. 


388 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


Glacial Division. 

Ooe of the ultimate purposes of the Geological Survey is the classificatiou of 
the soils of the country with respect to their agricultural capabilities. As a 
necessary preliminary thereto, extended investigations of the superficial deposits 
constituting the subsoils have been undertaken ; for the soil is simply derived from 
the subsoil through the action of the sun, rain, trost, the products of vegetal decay, 
and other agencies, and any classification of the soils involves the classification of 
the subsoils. Experience in the various lines of geologic research has shown that 
the genetic classification of geologic products, involving as it does a thorough knowl¬ 
edge of the character thereof, is the only satisfactory one. 

This work, which was commenced shortly after the inauguration of the Survey, was 
intrusted to Prof. T. C. Chamberlin. Hitherto Professor Chamberlin has been com¬ 
pelled by practical considerations to confine his investigations to the glacial drift 
and its immediate derivatives; and since the immediate object of his studies was 
rather the discovery of the principles upon which soil classification may be based 
than the development of the classification itself, the results thus far attained have 
been scientific rather than economic. 

Professor Chamberlin’s work upon the glacial drift is the most comprehensive in¬ 
vestigation of the class of phenomena involved ever undertaken in any country. It 
may now be regarded as approaching completion, and final reports upon difterent 
lines of the investigation will appear from time to time as the materials already col 
lected are digested and elaborated. 


Montana Division. 

The mountain systems of the western part of the country are distinguished from 
those of the eastern portion by their greater irregularity and asymmetry, by their 
more recent origin, and in many other ways. Now, the structure of a mountain 
system is determined by its constituent rocks, and the first step in a comparative 
study of mountains is the determination of the age and structure of the rocks com¬ 
posing each of the systems compared. At the same time, the structure of the mount¬ 
ain system varies in a certain definite way from that of contiguous plains; the for¬ 
mations occupying vast areas in the plains are also represented in the mountains, 
where, by reason of their high inclination, they occupy small areas ; the formations 
which in the plains are destitute of valuable minerals"when traced into the mount¬ 
ains sometimes become metalliferous, &c. Moreover, the great vertical scale of 
rock exposure in mountains facilitates geologic investigation there ; and so the suc¬ 
cession of formations as developed in a single canon of a mountain range frequently 
afibrds a key to the stratigraphy of a vast area of simple structure and plain topog¬ 
raphy. 

With the foregoing considerations in view, investigations were undertaken, shortly 
after the establishiiient of the Geological Survey, in a specially interesting portion of 
the Rocky Mountain region lying witnin Montana. The work was intrusted to Dr. F. 
V. Hayden ; but by reason of the ill-health and consequent resignation of this veteran 
geologist, it has recently been transferred to his former assistant. Dr. A. C. Peale. 

Yellowstone Park Division. 

Inquiries emanating from Congress and from different Departments of the Govern¬ 
ment from time to time have demonstrated the desirability of ascertaining and 
making known to the public the character and attractions of this great National 
Park, in order that the purposes for whicli it was set aside may be fulfilled. Some¬ 
thing is indeed known throughout the civilized world of its superb scenic features, 
the wonderful geysers and the unique mineral deposits resulting therefrom, the 
magnificent forests and the unique fauna of this national preserve; but it is im¬ 
portant that exact knowledge concerning this reservation for the use of the public 
set aside by a great nation, should be disseminated among its people. Moreover^ 
there are now in active operation within the National Park geologic agencies 
related in kind and degree to those which have been effective in the deposition of 
various minerals during different geologic periods. Nowhere else in the known world 
are the. operations of nature’s laboratory more thoroughly revealed ; and observations 
upon certain geologic processes here promise to add much to existing kuowledo-e of 
ore deposition and kindred subjects. ^ 

This double object in thoroughly investigating the National Park led to the estab¬ 
lishment of a division for this purpose some years ago. The division was placed in 
charge of Mr. Arnold Hague, and a portion of the results of his investigation have 
already appeared in different publications of the fSurvey. 


THE DEPAUTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


389 


Colorado Division. 

One of the uncompleted investigations inherited hy the Geological Survey was that 
ol the extensive mining regions in Colorado, and work in that wide held has been 
continued ever since. 

Mr. S. F. Emmons is the geologist in charge of the work of this division. The re¬ 
gion covered by the investigation is of exceedingly comiilex structure, and a great 
variety ot rock lormatious as well as mineral deposits exist. The formations repre¬ 
sent all portionsof the geologic column, from the crystalline rock masses of the Archean 
at the base, through the extensive series of the Paleozoics and the enormously devel- 
opod Mesozoics, to the vast series of lacustral deposits laid down in the Rocky Mount¬ 
ain region during difterent epochs of the Cenozoic. Extensive fields and masses of 
erupti ve rocksalso occur, associated with the sedimentary and non-volcauic formations 
in various ways. TiRe precious metals of the region are accumulated in and distributed 
through many difi'erent formations, while valuable beds of coal are found in both the 
Mesozoic and the Paleozoic strata. A thorough knowledge of the geologic structure 
of the entire region is accordingly essential to a satisfactory exposition of the mineral 
resources of the State. Moreover, here, as in the Rocky Mountain region of Montana, 
thei-e are represented difierent types of orograiihic structure, the study of which is de¬ 
manded on broad scientilic grounds, and the stratigraphy displayed in the mountains 
affords a key to the structure of the great area of plain topograiihy and rare rock-ex¬ 
posure lying to the eastward The investigations within the region have accordingly 
been made along different lines, but the various lines converge and the difterent objects 
of the investigation are attained from time to time. 

California Division. 

In 1883 Mr. G. F. Becker undertook the investigation of the quicksilver belt of 
Eastern California and Western Nevada. To a certain extent the field was a new 
one; for, although geologists had given some attention to quicksilver deposits in 
Spain and other countries, the mode of occurrence and the petrographic relations 
of the mineral in California are in part unique. The investigation therefore ex¬ 
tended not only to the quicksilver and immediately associated rocks, but also to 
the various associated formations, and eventually included many questions relating 
to the influence of pressure, temperature, &c., upon rock metamorphism and mineral 
deposition; and among the results of the investigation must bo numbered many 
i mportaut additions to previous knowledge of the principles of dynamic geology. 
These investigations, too, indicate very clearly the intimate interrelations between 
geology and the sister sciences, and demonstrate the importance of that broad and 
comprehensive study which it has ever been the aim of the Geological Survey to 
foster; for among the results of Mr. Becker’s researches must be enumerated the 
discovery of new and important laws in both physics and chemistry. The general 
and purely scientific problems investigated have, however, been subordinated to the 
primary purpose of the survey, i. e., the discovery and the succinct exposition of the 
mode of occurrence and general distribution of the quicksilver deposits of the Pacific 
slope. 

Mr. Becker’s energies are now concentrated upon a new field, the California gold 
belt. Preliminary studies of this belt were made some years ago by the then existing 
State Geological Survey of California, but these studies were never completed ; ami 
it is believed that further investigation will not only throw much light upon prob¬ 
lems involved in the exploitation of the region and the development of its resources, 
but that they will at the same time direct attention to portions of the area which 
may be prospected with hope of success, and prevent useless expenditure of time and 
money in hopeless prospecting in other portions. 

VolcaniQ Division. 

A single division of the Survey has been established for the purpose of investi¬ 
gating one of the three great classes of rocks described in an earlier paragraph, the 
eruptives or volcanic rocks. It has been placed in charge of C. E. Dutton, captain 
of ordnance, U. S. Army, who has been detailed to this office by the honorable the Sec¬ 
retary of War under authority of a specific statute. 

Volcanic rocks occur in all of the Western Territories, and, in less volume, in most 
of the older States. The lavas of which they are formed have been extravasated 
during various geologic periods ; they have aftected the different sedimentary forma¬ 
tions with which they have been brought in contact in a great variety of ways; in 
certain portions of the country they are ol vast thickness and areal extent; some of 
the precious metals and gems occur within them ; they are important elements in the 
orographic structure of many mountain systems ; the extravasation of their materials 


390 


THE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


is intimately connected with orogenic movements, and they are consequently involved 
ill the taxonomy of mountains ; and by their constitution they afford some insight 
into the condition of the interior of the earth. It is therefore important upon many 
grounds, both scientific 'and economic, that researches upon this class of rock should 
be as thorough and profound as the knowledge and capabilities of man will permit. 

The phenomena of volcanology and those of seismology are intimately related and 
it is a plausible hypothesis that these phenomena are genetically connected. Accord¬ 
ingly the investigations of earthquake phenomena, &c., undertaken by the Survey 
are carried on in this division. 

Lower Mississippi Division. 

One of the most recently established of the divisions of the Survey is that which 
has for its object the investigation of the iron ores, the sulphur and salt deposits, and 
the various other mineral resources of the States of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. 
It is in charge of Mr. Lawrence C. Johnson. 

Mr. Johnson’s efforts have been directed to the ascertainment of the geologic rela¬ 
tions of the various beds yielding valuable minerals and the detailed structufe of the 
entire region; for in a region of such simple general structure as that of the Gulf 
States it is possible to predicate the positions and depths beneath the surface of for¬ 
mations containing mineral deposits with a good degree of accuracy, provided the 
relations between the mineral deposit and its country rock have been determined. 

Potomac Division. 

When the Geological Survey was organized very little was known of the geologic 
structure of the District of Columbia and contiguous portions of Maryland and Vir¬ 
ginia; but as soon as possible after its organization geologic investigations were un¬ 
dertaken within this region, as has been mentioned in different reports. The work is 
in charge of Mr. W J McGee. 

One of the lines of work pursued in this division relates to the green-sand deposits 
of Eastern Maryland and Virginia, along the Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and 
James Rivers, and Chesapeake Bay. Important deposits of this natural fertilizer 
have been found here and promise to eventually revolutionize agricultural methods 
in this region. 


THE ACCESSORY DIVISIONS. 

The Divisions of Paleontology. 

Ever since the birth of geologic science the importance of the fossils found in the 
rocks as a guide to geologic classification has been recognized ; indeed, a large pro¬ 
portion of the questions which the geologist is called upon to answer cannot be an¬ 
swered without their aid, and paleontology, therefore, is now, as it ever has been, 
an essential part of geologic science. But geology is differentiated into many de¬ 
partments, and its progress has been along many lines; a large fund of special 
knowledge is required of the student in each ; and the literature in each has be¬ 
come voluminous. Accordingly, it is no longer possible for the geologist, whose 
function it is to study the relations of the rocks themselves, to adequately investi¬ 
gate the relations of the fossils contained in these rocks. Division of labor is re- 
(juired: the geologist investigates the rocks and ascertains their physical charac¬ 
teristics and relations to contiguous rockmasses ; while the paleontologist, studying 
the fossils collected from the same rocks by the geologist, determines the relations 
of these rocks to rockmasses in all parts of the earth. To meet this imperative 
demand for paleontologic investigation a number of divisions have been created; 
and although paleontology is but a subordinate branch of geologic science, and the 
results of paleontologic investigation are hence but means to an end, the publica¬ 
tions growing out of the work in these divisions are among the most va liable contri¬ 
butions to science already published or to be published in the near future by the 
Survey. 

One of the most important results of paleontologic research has been the develop¬ 
ment of the fact that the different classes of organic remains yield diverse units of 
geologic time. Thus, plants are little susceptible to the climatic and geographic 
changes that have occurred from time to time in the geologic history of the earth ; 
modifications in the vegetal organisms have consequently proceeded slowly; and 
hence the plant remains found in the rocks by their changes record great periods of 
time. The lower and less differentiated animal forms, the mollusca, radiata, &c., that 
inhabit the ocean, yield more freely to conditions of environment, and are much less 


THE DEPARTMENT OF TEE INTERIOR. 


391 


stable than the plants; tboy have accordingly undergone greater and more rapid modi- 
lication ; and the chronologic units marked by these moditications are shorter. But 
the most sensitive geologic chronometer and that marking the shortest time units is 
afforded by the vertebrata, and especially by the more highly developed laud ani¬ 
mals. Now in order to reduce the records of these different measures of geologic 
time and indices of taxonomic relations to a commou stand^ard, thorough investiga^ 
tioii of the three great classes of fossils is demanded. Moreover, it frCqueiiily hap¬ 
pens that formations containing plant reauains are destitute of both vertebrate and 
invertebrate fossils; that beds yielding invertebrate fossils are without the remains 
of vertebrates or plants; and that great deposits characterized by vertebrate re¬ 
mains are destitute of the slightest traces of other remains of life; and hence the 
determination of age and taxonomic relation depends now upon one, and again upon 
another, class of fossils. Thus different lines of paleoutologic investigation have 
grown up in the Survey. 

Among the rockmasses of the Western Territories, important by reason of their 
vast area and their immense thickness, there are many that were deposited in ex¬ 
tensive lakes during late Mesozoic and Conozoic time. These lakes were fed by 
great rivers; and within the sediment swept into these lakes there were preserved 
the bones of vertebrate animals that lived within the lacustral waters and upon the 
adjacent shores ; and by means of comparative study of these bones the paleontolo¬ 
gist is enabled to correlate the deposits laid down in different portions of the same 
lacustral area with each other and with the deposits of contemporaneous lakes, and 
at the same time to reproduce some of the most interesting scenes in the world’s history. 
Prof. O. C. Marsh has had charge of the investigation of these remains for some years, 
and has already made sevmral contributions to our knowledge of extinct animal 
forms, and brought to light data of importance in the development of geologic tax¬ 
onomy. 

The organic remains useful in correlating and classifying the lower third of the 
fossilferous series of rocks are predominantly those of invertebrates, and accordingly 
this o-reat class of fossils has been diligently studied, both in their biotic relations and 
in their relation to the strata within which they occur. This investigation is in 
charge of Mr. C. D. Walcott, whose paleoutologic laboratory is in the National Mu- 

seum. . . 1 n .1 

At its inception paleontology was little more than a set ot empiric rules tor the 

classification of formations by means of their contained fossils, viewed as accidental 
or petrographic characters ; but in the present stage of geologic science the value of 
paleontiTlogy to the stratigraphist, as well as to the student of historic geology, de¬ 
pends largely on the power which it gives of restoring and mentally picturing the 
geoo-raphfc, topographic, climatic, and other conditions prevailing in the various 
parts of the globe during each geologic epoch. Studied in this broad way, fossils 
serve not onfy as data for the empiric correlation of the strata, but they enable the 
ffeolo^nst properly to weigh and, in many cases, properly to interpret their own testi¬ 
mony” and thus mutually adjust the different time units of the three great classes of 
organic remains. It is with'this view of the purposes of paleoutologic investigation 
that researches by Dr. C. A. White have been made on the invertebrate fossils of the 
Mesozoic system of rocks in the United States. 

Frino-ino- the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States there is a broad zone of 
fra^menta” deposits, constituting the upper part of the fossiliferous column as repre¬ 
sented in the American continent: the Ceuozoic system of rooks. These deposits 
comprise a number of distinct formations representing different geologic periods. 
Within them are found the extensive greensand and phosphate deposits, which con¬ 
stitute the most important source of natural fertilizers in this country and which ^re 
thus far only partially developed. In the same formations there occur vast accumu¬ 
lations of iron ore, and some of the formations contain deposits of sulphur, salt, and 
other valuable minerals. Geologic investigation has already commenced within the 
portion of this zone covered by the operations of the Mississippi division of geology; 
but it is important that before extended geologic investigations are carried into this 
field a ‘>'eueral studv of its representative fossils shall be made, in order to facilitate 
promDt”aud trustworthy classification of the strata upon paleoutologic grounds. 
This general investigation has been commenced^ by l^r. H. Dali. 

Although plant impressions were among the first fossils to stimulate popular curi¬ 
osity and attract scientific investigation, they were among the latest to acquire im¬ 
portance as criteria for the classification of the rocks in which they occur. Their 
utility for such purposes is now generally recognized, and a division lor their inves¬ 
tigation has been established in the Geological Survey, and Mr. Lester F. Ward, 
whose extensive collections and laboratory are in the National Museum, is in charge 

^Vn’this as in the other lines of paleoutologic investigations pursued by the Survey, 
the primary object of study is not alone empirically to classify fossil iferous formations 
by means of their contained fossils in accordance with existing knowledge, but rather 


392 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


to dovolop tlio fiiiidaniontal principles involved in the relations of rocks and fossils, 
and this necessitates a kno\vled<^e of the organisms fossilized, of the manner in which 
the fossils became imbedded, andof the various circumstances and conditionsattendiug 
these processes. Thus the value of plants as indices of geologic vicissitudes must be 
ascertained before their reliability as basics for a comprehensive geologic taxonomy 
can bo determined. Accordingly, as suhiciently indicated by his reports. Professor 
Ward’s studies have thus far been general and philosophic, and his results are con¬ 
tributions to the science of paleobotany rather than applications of the science to 
geologic technology. 

The investigations of the geologists of the last generation, during which there was 
great activity in geologic work in the Eastern United States, have shown that there 
is an important hiatus in the geologic column as represented in the Appalachian 
Mountains and along the Atlantic coast. This hiatus occurs about the place of the 
lower and middle portions of the Mesozoic system of rocks, and it is impossible to 
form deiinite conceptions as to the succession of events in the geologic development 
of the continent until this gap is tilled. Fortunately some epochs of the periods gen¬ 
erally unrepresented in Eastern America are sometimes represented locally by strati- 
graphically and geographically unimportant formations. One such formation is the 
Trias of Connecticut, New Jersey, Peunsylvania, Maryland, and portions of Virginia; 
another is the probably distinct series of dei)Osits of Soutlieastern Virginia, by some 
geologists regarded as the American equivalent of the European Rluetic ; and a third 
is the formation intercalated between the Piedmont crystallines and the known Cre¬ 
taceous rocks of the Atlantic slope, which probably belongs to a late Jurassic or 
early Cretaceous period unrepresented elsewhere in America, to which the name 

Potomac formation ” has been applied. The last two formations are practically 
destitute of animal remains, but each yields abundant traces of a unique and lux¬ 
uriant flora; and with the hope of eompleting the geologic history of the American 
continent, the floras of these formations have been critically investigated in the 
division of paleobotany by Prof. William M. Fontaine. 

In accordance with the general theory held by the Survey, that collateral investi¬ 
gations ought to be simultaneously carried forward along as many conVergeut lines 
.as possible, a study of the fossil insects found in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks in 
difterent parts of the country has been instituted. The investigation has been put in 
the hands of Mr. S. H. Scudder, the eminent specialist to whom the world is indebted 
for an important share of existing knowledge of the insect faunas of past ages. It is 
especially important th.at the study of fossil insects should be prosecuted in connec¬ 
tion with that of fossil plants; for, .as shown by the most eminent biologists, the his¬ 
tory of plant life has been intimately connected with that of insect life ; many of the 
most important modilicatious in plants are directly attributable to the agency of in¬ 
sects; and thus insects are as reliable indices of climatic and other conditions that 
have prevailed during the various'geologic epochs as the plants themselves. More¬ 
over, insects, like plants, tell of terrestrial conditions, while a large share of the other 
fossil remains that have been subjected to examination tell only of the sea and of aque¬ 
ous conditions; and it is as important to geologists, whatever be the ultimate aim of 
their researches, to understand the various stages in the development of the land as 
to interpret the history of the seas. 

Division of Chemistry and Physics. 

While the chemic work of the Survey is ever regarded .as subordinate to geologic 
investigation and its character and specific objects are determined from time to time 
by the needs of the geologists of the Survey, original investigation in different col¬ 
lateral lines is encouraged, it is believed, with beneficial results. Thus interesting 
questions relating to the genesis of certain minerals and to the agency of certain 
waters in forming minerals have been investigated in this division of the Survey. 
Many of the researches carried on in this division have a direct practical bearing ui:)on 
questions connected with the development of the mineral resources of the country. 

A class of criteria for determining the rekatious of rocks is found in their chemic 
constitution. Most of the questions of geologic technology, or the application of 
geologic science to the arts, involve a knowledge of the* chemic constitution of 
rocks; and in addition requests for the chemic examination of various rocks, min¬ 
erals, ores, soils, waters, gases, and natural oils, required for the proper prosecution 
of important public works, reach the Survey from time to time. To meet these vari¬ 
ous demands, a division of chemistry was early organized by the Survey, as specified 
in the annual reports. 

There is a physical laboratory connected with the chemic laboratory, in which are 
prosecuted researches relating to the effects of temperature, ])ressure,' moisture &c., 
upon roeks, and the causal conditions of crystallization, segregation, and secondary 
alterations of various kinds, such as have during the g('ologic ages resulted in the 
formation of mineral veins, the metamorphism of rocks, &,c. Hitherto the geologis 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


393 


engaged in tbe discussion of problems, involving coefficients of friction, modnli of 
elasticity, constants expressing the effects of pressure, temperature, &c., upon rocks, 
and other questions coutinnally arising in dynamic geology, has generally been com¬ 
pelled to coniine himself to the use of constants detcrraiued in connection with the 
arts; but such constants are unsatisfactory, since they arc applicable only to a much 
more limited range ot conditions than those encountered by the dynamic geologist. 
Accordingly, an adequate discussion of such phenomena demands more accurate 
determination of constants applicable under a wide range of conditions, and this 
involves the improvement of methods of determination and the devising of special" 
apparatus therefor. Those are the ends kept in view by Dr. C. Barns and his asso¬ 
ciates, the physicists of the division, and satisfactory progress has been made in 
their attainment. 


Division of Petrography. 

Another class of criteria valuable in ascertaining the inter-relations of rockmasses 
and the presence therein of economically valuable minerals is fouinl in their minute 
structnre, discoverable only with the aid of the microscope; and in this and other 
countries microscopic petrography has rapidly grown to be one of the most important 
and promising lines of geologic research. 

The microscopic examination of rocks, however, involves cutting, grinding, and 
mounting of slides by means of delicate and costly machinery, and in some cases the 
separation of the rock constituents by means of liuids of varying speciffc gravity. 
This work, as well as the examination of the material thus prepared, requires skill 
of a high order and the ]>ermauent employment of the specialists intrusted with the 
work. In x>tirsuance of its general policy of utilizing the latest discov(!ries in science 
and art whereby geologic investigation may be promoted, a petrographic laboratory 
has been organized in which all work of this character is done. 

Division of Mining Statistics. 

The principal function of the Geological Survey is the discovery of mineral re¬ 
sources before unknown, and the collection of facts of importance to the imbistrics 
involved. In order that this function may be properly x)erformed it is necessary that 
attention shall bo given to the technology of mining and that information relating 
to the best methods of mining different ores under various conditions shall be dis¬ 
seminated. Moreover, statistics of mining oporaiious and of mineral products are 
essential to a thorough comprehension of the great mineral resources of the country, 
the mineral interests involved therein, and the industries that grow out of them. A 
division has been established for the performance of this work. 

Division of Forestry. 

Some of the most important questions of the day, from both the scientific and 
economic standpoints, are those involved in the relations of the soils and vegeta¬ 
tion of the earth to the rocks which they conceal and from which the one is derived 
and by which the other is supported. Moreover, the distribution of the forests of 
this country is one of great and ever increasing importance to its people. Now, in 
the prosecution of the topographic surveys there is incidentally collected a vast 
amount of information relating to the forests of the different States in the Union 
which can bo rendered available at small expense; and, in obedience to the statute 
relating thereto, there has been established a division of forestry, the functions of 
which are the collection and diffusion of data relating to the forests of the country,- 
their extent and value, their proximity to routes of transportation, and our'national 
resources in timber, lumber, ornamental woods, fuel, tan bark, and the various other 
forest products. 

It is well known that the pineries of the Upper Mississippi and Great Lake regions, 
from which a large proportion of the lumber consumed in the country has been de¬ 
rived during past decades, are rapidly disappearing, and that their complete exhaus¬ 
tion is a question of only a few years. It is therefore impoitant that the eyes of the 
lumber manufacturer and of the lumber consumer should be directed to other regions 
of supply. Among such are the wooded portions of the Appalachian Mountain sys¬ 
tem, the*Adirondack region in New York, and other considerable areas in the Eastern 
United States which are naturally forested with woods available in the manufacture 
of various kinds of lumber, and within which the land is comparatively worthless for 
other purposes than timber growth. But the American people have now passed that 
pioneer stage in the settlement and utilization of the national domain in which man 
can avail himself of the fruits of the land without thought for the morrow. The 
time has come for considering questions of reproduction of ephemeral products and 


394 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


of perpetuating the natural supplies thereof. Moreover, the interests growing out of 
the various products of the soil are intimately but intricately connected with vari¬ 
ous other interests. It is therefore important not only to ascertain and classify the 
present forest resources of the country, but also to determine (1) what portions of the 
country can be profitably reserved for arboriculture and (2) what kinds of trees are 
best adapted to each region. 


SCHEDULE OP SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATION. 

Although the organisation of an institution devoted to original research can never 
be considered final, the present differentiation of labor in the Geological Survey may 
be regarded as definite and comparatively thorough. It is as follows: 


Geograjphy. 

In charge. 

Division of Geography.-.-.Henry Gannett. 

Northeastern Section of Topography.Marcus Baker. 

Massachusetts Subsection of Topography. 

New Jersey Subsection of Topography.George H. Cook, 

State geologist. 

Eastern Maryland Subsection of Topography.S. H. Bodfish. 

Appalachian Section of Topography.Gilbert Thompson. 

Central Section of Topography.Jno. H. Renshawe. 

Western Section of Topography.A. H. Thompson. 


Texas Subsection of Topography. 

New Mexico Subsection of Topography. 
Gold Belt Subsection of Topography. 
Cascade Subsection of Topography. 
Montana Subsection of Topography. 


Section of Topographic Drawing.Harry King. 

Astronomic and Computing Section.R. S. Woodward. 

Section of Instruments and Repairs.Edward Kiibel. 


Geology. 

Division of Archean Geology. 

Atlantic Coast Division of Geology. 

Appalachian Division of Geology. 

Lake Superior Division of Geology.^ 

Division of Glacial Geology . 

Montana Division of Geology. 

Yellowstone Park Division of Geology... 

Colorado Division of Geology. 

California Division of Geology. 

Division of Volcanic Geology. 

Mississippi Division of Geology. 

Potomac Division of Geology. 


_Raphael Purapelly 

....N.S. Shaler. 
....G.K. Gilbert. 

_R. D. Irving. 

_T. C. Chamberlin. 

_A. C. Peale. 

_Arnold Hague. 

_S. F. Emmons. 

-G. F. Becker. 

-C. E. Dutton. 

_L. C. Johnson. 

.. ..W J McGee. 


Paleontology. 


Division of Vertebrate Paleontology.O. C. Marsh. 

Paleozoic Division of Invertebrate Paleontology.. C. D. Walcott. 

Mesozoic Division of Invertebrate Paleontology.C. A. White. 

Cenozoic Division of Invertebrate Paleontology.W. H. Dali. 

Division of Paleobotany.L. F. Ward. 

Division of Fossil Insects.S. H. Scudder. 


Miscellaneous. 


Division of Chemistry and Physics.F. W. Clarke. 

Division of Petrography.J. S. Diller. 

Division of Mining Statistics and Technology.D. T. Day. 

Division of Forestry.G. W. Shutt. 

Division of Illustrations.W. H. Holmes. 

Division of Library and Documents.C. C. Darwin. 
































THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


395 


THE BUSINESS OEGANIZA.TION AND METHODS. 


As already shown, the husiuess branch of the Survey is ever subordinate to the 
scientific braoch, and depends upon this latter branch for its character; but the 
operations of the business branch are carried on in accordance with a comprehensive 
plan to the development of which much thought has been given. The business or¬ 
ganization and methods will be described in detail; and for the sake of clearness its 
operations will be presented under the systems or departments to which they logi¬ 
cally belong rather than under the administrative divisions in which, for economic 
reasons, they are carried on. 


THE FISCAL SYSTEM. 


The princij^les eontroJling the system. 

There are four fundamental considerations involved in the disbursement of the 
money appropriated for the Geological Survey. They are as follows: 

(1) Every facility should be afforded to the scientific work of the Survey, as that 
is the purpose for which the money is appropriated ; (2) there should be no unneces¬ 
sary or extravagant expenditure; (3) the public money should be protected against 
depredation; and (4) every Government agent should be required to establish the in¬ 
tegrity of his transactions. 

It is evident that exclusive attention to the facilitation of the work might lead to 
extravagance, while a parsimonious policy might impede the work by depriving it of 
necessary facilities. Proper administration demands the exercise of discriminating 
judgment in each individual case. 

Every restrictive regulation to prevent extravagance adds to the labor of those en¬ 
gaged in research, adds to the amount of clerical work to be i^erformed, and to some 
extent obstructs and delays the performance of scientific work. It is quite possible 
to so complicate the fiscal and custodial systems of a scientific bureau that its con¬ 
duct shall consume a large part of its energy and correspondingly diminish its re¬ 
sults. 

It is moreover a familiar fact that regulations for the prevention of dishonest prac¬ 
tices, while they are designed to conserve the means for the conduct of the proper 
work of the Bureau, are in themselves a source of expense. Protection from depre¬ 
dation costs money. 

The relation of the disbursing agent to the Government differs in an important re¬ 
spect from the relation between a private business agent and his employer. In the 
latter case the employer is an individual having a personal interest in the business 
transacted and a personal acquaintance with his agents. In the former case the em¬ 
ployer is impersonal and cannot directly supervise the transactions of the agent. 
The disbursing agent is therefore essentially a trustee, and the funds in his charge 
are trust funds; so that it is not without reason that ho is required to submit to a 
system of restrictive regulations which iu ordinary commercial business might be 
regarded as onerous. The jjrivate employer assumes the integrity of his agent until 
the contrary is proved. The Government requires its agents to establish the integ¬ 
rity of all their transactions. 


The Approx>riations. 


The funds for carrying on the work of the United States Geological Survey are 
appropriated by Congress in three portions: the first in the legislative act for the 
payment of stated salaries of the individuals composing the permanent force of the 
Survey ; the second in the sundry civil act for the payment of stated salaries of the 
permanent scieutific assistants; and the third also in the sundry civil act for the 
payment of the temporary employes in field and office, and for the various other 
necessary expenses of the Survey. The appropriations for the curient year were, 
under the legislative act, $35,540, and under the sundry civil act, $57,700 for scientific 
assistants, and $400,000 for other necessary expenses. 

The funds required in the transaction of the current business of the Survey are 
drawn from the Treasury on requisition of the Secretary of the Interior, and are 
placed to the credit of the chief disbursing clerk or the disbursing agents on the 
books of the Treasury Department. 


396 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The requisition for funds is made upon notice from the chief disbnrsiuj^ officer that 
certain funds are required. The notice and the requisition are made upon tlie accom¬ 
panying forms: 


NOTICE. 


Depaiitment of the Tnteuiou, 

United States Geological Suhvey, 

Washington, Ap'l ‘doth, 1886. 

To the Director of the V. S. Geological Survey : 

Sir: I have the honor to ask your attention to tlie following estimate of funds required by me dur¬ 
ing the second Quarter, 1886: 


Amount required to pay liabilities incurred, and to bo incurred, to end of the 

quarter.. . $13, 370 00 

Deducting balance that will probably bo on band at commencement of the present 
quarter. 9,370 00 


Amount required to be remitted... 4,000 00 


Please have this sum placed to my credit in the following manner • 
$4,000.00 at the sub-treasury, San Francisco, Cal. 

Very respectfully. 


Approved: 

C. E. Dutton, 

Chief of Volcanic Division of Geology. 

[Indorsement.] 


H.C.RIZER, 

Disbursing Agt., TT. S. G. S. 


Appropriation for United States Geological Survey. 

Estimate of funds required by II. C. Rizei, disbursing agent, U. S. G. S. 
Time: Second quarter, 1886, Amount, $4,000.00. 

requisition. 

$5. 000.00.1 


To the honorable the Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir: Please cause the sum of five thousand dollars to be placed to the oflicial credit of John Doe, 
special disbursing agent, U. S. Geological Survey, Iowa City, Iowa, to be held subject to tlie check 
of said John Doe, with the U. S. assistant treasurer. New York, N. Y., and for which ho is to be 
charged and held accountable under his bond dated-, 188-, under the following heads of appro¬ 

priations : 


[No. 445. 

Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, July 30th, 1887. 


Appropriations, 1888. 

Dollars. 

Cents. 

TT. S. Ceologieal Survey......... 

5, 000 

00 



5,000 

00 


Very respectfully. 


J. W. POWELL, 
Director. 


All the disbursing officers of the Survey are bonded. The]boud of the chief disburs¬ 
ing clerk is ^40,000. The bonds of the disbursing agents, which vary with their lia¬ 
bilities, are shown in a subsequent table. The form of bond entered into by disburs¬ 
ing officers, with the oath and certificate, is appended hereto: 


bond. 


Know all men by these presents: 

That we, John Doe, of Washington, District of Columbia, as principal, and James Smith and Rich¬ 
ard White, of Washington, D. C., as sureties, are held and firmly bound unto the United States of 
America in the full and just sum of ten thousand ($10,000) dollars, lawful money of the United States, 
to be paid to the United States; for which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves and 
each of us, and each of our heirs, executors, .and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these 
presents. Signed with our hands and sealed with our seals this first day of January, in the rear of 
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven. 
















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ' INTERIOR. 


•397 


The condition of tho foregoing obligation is such, that whereas the Secretary of the Interior has a])- 
pointed the said John Doe to be special disbursing agent U. S. G-eological Survey by commission dated 
January Ist, 1887, and has designated him as a special disbursing agent by letter dated January 1st, 
1887, said John Doe has accepted said appointment and designation; now, therefore, if the said John 
Doe, shall, at all times, during his holding and remaining in said office, *!arefully discharge the duties 
thereof, and faithfully disburse all public moneys, and honestly account, without fraud or delay, for 
the same and for all public funds and property which shall or may come into his hands, then the 
above obligation to bo void and of no effect; otherwise to remain in full force and viidue. 

JOHN DOE. [SEAL.] 

JAMES SMITH. [seal.] 

KICHARD WHITE, [seal.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of— 

William Black, 

Samuel Brown, 

(As to each and all of the signatures.) 


OATH. 


I, John Doe, of Washington, D, C., do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the Constitu¬ 
tion of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic ; that I will bear true faith and 
allegiance to the same ; that I take this oblipvtion freely, without any mental reservation or purpose 
of evasion ; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of tho office on which I am about 
to enter. So help mo God. 

JOHN DOE. 

Sworn to and subscribed before mo this 1st day of January, A. D. 1887. 

[SEAL.] ■ FRANK GREEN, 

Notary Ptiblic. 


CERTIFICATE OF UNITED STATES JUDGE OR ATTORNEY. 

I, George Brown, U. S. attorney for the District of Columbia, do hereby certify that tho persons who, 
as sureties, have signed the foregoing bond with John Doe as principal, are sufficient sureties for the 
penalty of said bond. 

GEORGE BROWN. 

Washington, D. G., Jan'y 1st, 1887. 

[Indorsement.] 


Department op the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 

January 1st, 1887. 

Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of tho Interior for his approval. 

J. W. POWELL, 

’ Director. 


Department of the Interior, 

Jan. 2nd, 1887. 


Tho within bond is hereby approved and returned to the Director of the Geological Survey, to bo for¬ 
warded to the First Comptroller of the Treasury. 

L. Q. C. LAMAR, 

Secretary. 


Department op the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 

Jan'y 2nd, 1887. 


Respectfully forwarded to tho First Comptroller of tho Treasury. 


J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


lu accordance with departmental law and regulations there are two or more sure¬ 
ties for each bond, and each signature is attested by two witnesses. The sureties are 
required to justify in twice the amount of the bond by affidavit for each. The fol¬ 
lowing is the form of affidavit: 


AFFIDAVIT OF SURETY. 


City of Washington, County of Washington, D. G., ss: 

I, James Smith, one of the sureties on the official bond of John Doe as special disbursing agent, U. S. 
Geol. Survey, do depose and say that I am worth in unincumbered property, not exempt from execu¬ 
tion under the laws of tho District of Columbia, ten thousand (10,000) dollars and upward, after pay¬ 
ment of my just debts and liabilities, as follows: 

Real estate valued at $10,000, and consisting of house and lot known as 1903 M st., N. W., in tho city 

of Washington, 1), C. t 

(Signature:) JAMES SMITH, 

(Post-office address:) 1903 M st., Washington. 


Sworn to and subscribed before me this first day of January, 1887. 
[BEAL.] 


FRANK GREEN, 

Notary Public. 


398 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The Method of Allotment. 

As stated at length in preceding paragraphs, the Survey is organized into divisions 
which are sometimes further divided into sections and subsections ; and each division, 
section, or subsection is charged with certain work in a certain held. 

Before the close of each hscal year the plan for the ensuing year is formulated by 
the Director, after conference with the heads of the various divisions and sections of 
the Survey, and a stated sum is allotted to the chief of each for use in cai rying lor- 
ward the work of which he has charge during the hscal year for which the aj)pro- 
priation was made. The chief of division or section thus assumes charge of a special 
subject of investigation, or a certain held of work; he is responsible to the Director, 
through the hscal branch of the Survey, for couhuing the cost of the investigat ion to 
the sum allotted and for the propriety and economy of his expenditures. He is also 
responsible to the Director for the quality and quantity of the work performed, and 
since all reports or maps made by him are published under his name, the incentive to 
do all that can be done with the money allotted is of the highest nature. In large 
measure he is an independent investigator engaged in his ideal work, in the course 
of which he in part devises his own plans and develops bis own problems, executing 
his plans and solving his problems in his own way ; but his work is under the gen¬ 
eral supervision and control of the Director and his operations are limited by his al¬ 
lotment and by the business regulations of the Survey. 

It is believed that this method of allotment in the scientific branch of the Survey is 
productive of good results. The chiefs of the scientific divisions are scientific men, 
selected for their eminence and ability and for their proficiency in the special lines of 
work to which they are assigned; and it is not only a reasonable Y)resuniption, but it 
is found by experience to be true, that investigations are pursued as economically as 
X» 08 sible in order that results of the greatest value may be .secured by the means jiro- 
vided. 

The plan for the year’s work thus developed within the Survey is submitted to the 
Secretary of the Interior for examination and approval at the commencement of each 
fiscal year. 

Methods of Making Purchases. 

There are three methods of making purchases: (1) Many articles are obtained 
through the Interior Department under its standing contracts, and the amount of 
the cost of such articles is transferred from the appropriations of the Geological 
Survey to the contingent fund of the Interior Department by certificate of the 
Treasurer; (2) articles are purchased from the lowest bidder under the competitive 
system; (3) when it is inexpedient, by reason of great delay or the cost of transpor¬ 
tation from the general office to the field, to obtain the articles by these methods, 
provision is made for purchasing articles in any part of the country at current re¬ 
tail rates under the authority of section 3709 of the Revised Statutes, viz : “When 
imiriediate delivery or performance is required by the public exigency, the articles 
or service required may be procured by open purchase or contract at the jdace and in 
the manner in which such articles are usually bought and sold or such service eugaged 
between individuals.” In such case the following certificate is placed* upon the 
voucher: 

“No advertisement. 

“ Public exigency required the immediate delivery of the articles (or performance of 
the services.”) 

Partly in order to facilitate the keeping of accounts, and partly in the interests 
of economy, purchases are made mostly in the city of Washington, and iirovision 
has been made for keeping the records thereof in a simple and uniform manner; and 
the same methods are pursued with little modification when the purchases are made 
elsewhere. 

Purchases are made on requisition, generally by chiefs of divisions, countersigned 
by the chief clerk, and sometimes formally authorized by the Director. Commonly 
the order is made upon a blank, upon which the article or property ordered is clearly 
described. Herewith is a copy of the order: 

OliDER FOR PURCHASE. 

[Bill to be rendered with tliis order attached.] 

No. 39!.0. 

U. S. Geological Survey, 

Jul]/ 31, 1887. 

Mes-srs. Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict: 

Please furnish the tollowing articles, securely 
packed: Marked, 1 Remington type-writer and 
desk 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

Gharge to allotment of McGee. 


[Bill to he rendered with this order attached. 
No. 3950. 

TJ. S. Geological Survey, 
Jtdy 31, 1887. 

Messrs. Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict: 

Please furnish the following articles, securely 
packed: Marked, 1 Remington type-writer and 
desk. 

JAMES C. PILLING, 
Chief Clerk. 





THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. * 


399 


This order is made onfc in duplicate; the original is transmitted to the dealer and 
returned with the bill, and is finally filed with the purchase voucher; while the du¬ 
plicate, upon which the allotment debited with the cost is specified, is preserved by 
the property clerk, whose special functions are described in another paragraph. 

In certain cases letters are substituted for the orders made out upon printed forms; 
but these are press-copied and the method of procedure remains the same—the origi¬ 
nal letter being returned with the voucher, while the press copy is preserved in a 
book kept for that purpose. 

The Vouchers. 

Three classes of vouchers are used, namely, salary vouchors, traveling-expense 
vouchers, and purchase vouchers. 

The employ6s of the Survey fall into three classes : the first appointed by the Sec¬ 
retary of the interior upon the recommendation of the Director, as scientific special¬ 
ists; the second appointed by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the 
civil-service law ; and the third, comprising temporary field assistants, employed by 
the day or mouth for special duty, by the Director or other officers of the Survey. 

The salary of each employd is paid upon a voucher, which consists of a bill for the 
service, a certificate that the service has been rendered, and a receij)t for the amount 
specified; and before payment is made the account is certified by the chief of division 
or section and the receipt is signed by the payee. 

The form of voucher, together with the indorsement entered upon its back by the 
disbursing officer by whom it is paid, is appended hereto. 


APPROPMATION FOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
The United States to E. P. Huff, Washington, H. O., Dr. 

(Give post-office address.) 


1887. 



July 1 to Aug. 31 

For pav as draftsman from July 1st to Aug. 31st, 1887, inclusive, two 



months, at .4100 per month. 

$200 00 


I certify that the above account is correct; that the services were rendered as herein stated, and 
were necessary for the work of the U. S. Geological Survey. 

IV. J. MAGEE, 
Geologist, U. S. Geological Survey. 


Received at Washington this Slst day of Aug., 1887, from J. D. McChesney, chief dishur.sing cleric. 

U. S. G. S., the sum of two hundred (200) dollars and-- cents, in full payment of the above account, 

having signed duplicate receipts therefor. 

(Sign here:) E. P. HUFF, 

Washington, D. O. 


[Indorsement.] 

Vouchor No. 900, Ist quarter, 1887. 

Appropriation for United States Geological Survey. 

Accounts of J. D. McChesney, chief disbursing agent, U. S. G. S. 

Paid to E. P, Huff for salary, amount, $200.00. 

Paid by check No. 3001 for $200.00, dated Aug. 3lst, 1887, on ass’t treasurer. New York, N. Y. 


In certain cases pay-rolls are substituted for the separate vouchers simply for con¬ 
venience; but the pay-roll, like the voucher, consists of bill, certificate, and receipt, 
and is certified by the officer in charge. The forms of pay-roll and iiKlorsement are 
appended. 

APPROPRIATION FOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 


We, the subscribers, hereby acknowledge to have received of J. D. McChesney, chief disbursing 
clerk United States Geological Survey, the sums heieiu specified opposite our respect ive names, being 
in full for our services at Washington, D, C., during the month of July, 1887, having signed duplicate 
receipts therefor. 


No. 

Names. 

Occupation. 

Time 

employed. 

Rate of pay. 

Amount 

received. 

Signatures. 

Witnesses. 

Annual. 

Monthly. 

1 

C. E. Martin. 

Clerk. 

Perm ... 

$720 00 

$G0 00 

$60 60 

C. E. Martin 


2 

J. C. Goode.. 

_do. 

Temp. 


75 80 

75 80 

J. C. Goode.. 



I certifv that the above pay-roll is correct as to names, amounts, and time of service rendered. 

J. W. POWELL, 
Director, U. S. G. S. 


[Indorsement.] 


Voucher No. 100, Ist quarter, 1887. 

Appropriation for United States Geological Survey. 

Accounts of J. D. McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. S, G. S, 


























400 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

\ 


Pay-roll. 

Atnount, $135.G0. Paid by the following checks: 


Number. 

Date. 

Amount. 

Depository. 


19, 001 

July 31 

$135 GO 

U. S. assistant treasiuer. New York, N Y. 



As in other governmental organizations, the necessary traveling and living ex¬ 
penses of employes engaged in the performance of field duty are paid upon pre¬ 
sentation of suitable vouchers. In the Geological Survey the actual expenses only 
are paid; there are no allowances, no expenditures are commuted, .and the living ex¬ 
penses of employes .at stations are at their own cost. 

The traveling-exj^ense voucher in like manner consists of a bill, a certificate, and 
a receipt, which must be duly signed before the amount is paid, and each travel¬ 
ing-expense voucher is, moreover, accompanied ny an order authorizing the journey. 
Chiefs of divisions are, at the beginning-of each fiscal year, authorized to under¬ 
take and order such journeys as may be required in the prosecution ot the work 
under their charge, and such authority covers their journeys for the year. The origi¬ 
nal order or a suitable extract from it accoiupanies each voucher. Other officers and 
employds of tlie Stirve^'^ make journeys only under special orders, which are a^)- 
pended to the traveling-expense voucher, and each voucher is certified by the officer 
ordering the journej''. The regulations of the Treasury Department also require 
that the correctness of the expense account covered by the voucher shall be cer¬ 
tified under oath. In addition, every item of the traveling-expense voucher (ex¬ 
cept charges for transportation by rail, steamboat, or stage at current rates, or 
single meals en route) must be attested by a subvoucher signed by the person to 
whom ]niymeut w^as made. 

The first page of the traveling-expense voucher bears an abstract of the account, 
the certificates of the employd making and of the officer authorizing the journey, the 
receipt, and the affidavit, while the second and later pages are arranged for the entry 
of items, and the indorsement of the disbursing clerk by whom the account is paid 
is entered upon the last page. The forms for the different pages of these vouchers are 
attached: 


[First page.] 


APPROPEtATIOX FOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

The United States to Edgar Rich, Dr. 

(Give post-office address.) 


Date. 

Designation. 

Dollars. 

Cts. 

1887. 

For actual expenses, while traveling in the discharge of duty, under orders 



Aug. 1-3 

of J. VV. Powell, from Washington, D. C.,to New York, N. Y., and re- 




turn, as per itemized statement within. 

$10 

00 


I certify that the above account is correct and just; that the detailed items charged within are taken 
and A'erified from a memorandum kept by me ; that the amounts charged for subsistence were act¬ 
ually paid, and were occasioned'by od'u’ial business or unavoidable delays, requiring my stay at hotels 
for the time specified ; that I performed Ihejourney under the order lieveto annexed with all practica¬ 
ble dispatch, by the shortest usually traveled route, in the customary reasonable manner, and that I 
have not been furnished with transportation, or money in lieu thereof, for any part of the journey 
herein charged for. 

EDGAR RICH, 

Ass't V. S. GeoL Survey 

Sworn and subscribed to before me at Washington, D. C., this third day of August, 1887. 

J. C. BLUEGAY. 

Notary Public. 

Received at Washington, I). C., this third day of August, 1887, from C. 1). Davis, disbursing clerk, 
U. S. G. S., the sum of ten dollars and — cents, in full payment of the above account, having signed 
duplicate leceipts therefor. 

EDGAR RICH, 

Ass't U. S. Geol. Survey. 

I certify that the above account is correct and just, and is hereby approved. 

J. W. POWELL, 
Director, JJ. S. O. S. 






















THE DEPAllTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


401 


[Second page.] 

Itemized statement of actual and necessary expenses. 


Date. 


Number 
of sub- 
voucher. 

• 

Amounts. 

1887. 
Aug. 1 

Railway fare, Pennsylvania Railway, Washington, D. C., to New 
York, N. Y., and return. 


$i0 00 




[Indorsement. ] 


Voucher No. 93, first (quarter, 1887. 

Appropriation for United States Geological Survey. 
Accounts of C. I) Davis, disbursing clerk, U. S. G. S. 

For traveling expenses. 


Pakl to Edgar Rich ; amount, $10.00. 

Paid by check No. 1001 for $10.00. Dated August 3rd, 1887, on U. S. Treasurer, Washington, D. C. 

A transcript of a letter authorizing a chief of division to undertake and order such 
journeys as may be required during a fiscal year (and .at the same time advising him 
of fhe amount of his allotment and the assignment of assistants in his division, and 
conveying such instructions regarding his work as seem to be required) is appended .* 


Department op the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. O., August 6 , 188G. 

Mr. G. K. Gilbert, Geologist, JJ. S. G. S.: 

Sir: For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, there h is been allotted to the Appalachian Division 
of Geology under your charge the sura of $18,000, which amount shall cover all expenses of whatever 
nature connected with the work under your direction. 

In addition to such wages as may bo paid to per.sons temporarily employed in your work from time 
to time, the following regular salaries will be charged to your allotment: 


Name. 

Ofiice. 

Amount. 

nilhorf. G. N______ 

Geologist... 

$4,000 
1,500 
1,000 
1, 300 

ripifTpip IT.T?. __ ____ 

Assistant geologist..... 

T. r! _ _-___ 

.do. 

-T \f .. _ _ __ ____ 

.do.. 

ptAip Twnl^prf; ____......_......... 

Clerk ... 

900 

White I C . 

Geologist.. . 

2, 000 
2, 400 

W^illis lliiilpy - ______ 

.do. 




As geologist in charge of this division, you are hereby authorized to make sreh journeys as may be 
nece.ssary for the prosecution of your official work, and you are also authorized to order your assist¬ 
ants to make such journeys, expenses attending the same to be paid from your allotment. 

It is hoped that at the close of the coming field season there may remain unexpended from the above 
allotment an amount sufticient to place your party in the field early iu the ensuing spring. 

I am, with respect, yours, &c., 

(Signed) J. W. POWELL. 

Director. 

The journey order to a subordinate officer or employe of the Survey is usually given 
in the form of a letter specifying the points from and to which the journey is to be 
made. Sometimes this letter contains specific directions as to the work to be accom¬ 
plished, and is thus a “ letter of instructions,” an extract from which serves as the 
journey order. In simple cases the order is written upon a blank form provided for 
the purpose. Such blanks are numbered in regular series, and are bound in books 
with stubs, upon which memoranda of the orders are kept by chiefs of division issuing 
them. Samples of both of these forms are appended : 


Stub to be retained. 

5Q11 Department oe the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. G.,July Ist, 1887. 

Order to J. C. Ramer to proceed from Washington to Boston, Mass., given by A. 11. Thompson, ge¬ 
ographer, U. S. G. S. X- c -XT 

Remarks .—If practicable, please accompany Mr. Martin Smithson. 

4402 INT- 20 

































402 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


No. 501.1 Depahtment of the Inteihor, 

United States Geological Survey, 
Washingtouf D. 0., July 1st, 1887. 

Mr. J. C. Ramer, 

U. S. Oeol. Survey : 

You will proceed by the shortest practicable route from Washington, D. C., to Boston, Mass., on 
duty connected with this Survey, keeping a memorandum of your actual necessary expenses incurred 
on Said journey, and attaching this order to your vouchers for said expenses, with hotel bills, in du- 

plicate, appended. ' A. H. THOMPSO^^, 

Geographer, TJ. S. G. S. 


The sub vouchers used iu couuectiou with traveliug-expen.se vouchers are so ar¬ 
ranged that they may be used iu lieu of the vouchers proper. Accordingly, they con¬ 
sist of bill, certilicate, aud receipt, together with form ou the back for the indorse¬ 
ment of the disbursing officer by whom they are paid. They may also be used as 
purchase vouchers. The forms are appended : 

APPROPRIATIO:;!’ FOR UN^ITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

The United States to E. P. Dilleu, Dr. : 

(P. O. address;) Harrisburg, Pa. 

F'or board and lodging, for Chas. Wells, Aug. 1st to Aug. 15th, 1887, fifteen days, at $2, $20.00. 
Received at Harrisburg, Pa., this 15th day of August, 1887, from Chas. Wells, disbursing agent, (he 
sum of thirty dollars and 00 cents, in full payment of the above account, receipts h.iviiig been signed 
in duplicate. 

(Sign here.) E. P. DILLER. 

1 certify that the above account is correct; that the articles herein onumoratod have been received 
or services performed; that they were necessary for. and have been or will, bo applied to, the U. S. 
Geological Surv'cy ; and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the prices wore reasonable and 

' (Sign in duplicate.) CHAS. WELLS, 

Ass't, U. S. G. S. 


[On margin.] 

I certify that the articles herein named will be accounted for on my returns for the-quarter, 188- 

Custodian. 


[Indorsement.] 

Voucher No. 81), 1st quarter, 188-. 

Appropriation for United States Geological Survey. 

Accounts of J. U. McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. S. G. S. 

Paid to E. P. Diller for board and lodging, amount, thirty dollars ($30). 

Paid by check No. 9003 for $30.00, dated Aug. 15th, 1887, ou ass’t treasurer. New York, N. Y. 

Eacli purcha-se voucher likewise cousists of bill, certificate, aud receipt. The bill 
aiul receipt are signed by the party from whom the purchase is made, and the certifi¬ 
cate setting forth that the account is correct aud just, that the purchase was neces¬ 
sary, aud that the articles have been received and applied to the use of the Survey, 
is signed by the officer iu charge. Each purchase voucher bears, iu addition, the cer¬ 
tificate of a duly authorized custodian that the property purchased has been trans¬ 
ferred to his custody. The forms for the iiurchase voucher and for the disbursing 
officer’s indorsement upon its back are appended : 

APPROPRIATION FOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

The United States, to W. B. Moses & Son, Washington, D. 0., Dr.: 

(Give post-office address.) 


Date. 


Cost. 

1887. 
July 12 

To one office desk (walnut), 5x8, double... 

$G0 00 



Received at Washington, D. C., this 12th day of July, 1887, from J. D. McChesney, chief disbursing 
clerk, U. S. G. S., the sum of sixty dollars and — cents, in full payment of the above account, having 
signed duplicate receipts therefor. 

(Sign here.) W. B. MOSES & SON 












THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


403 


I certify that the above account is correct; that the articles herein enumerated have been received 
or services performed; that they were necessary for, and have been or will bo, applied to the work of 
the LT. S. Geological Survey ; anil that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the prices paid wore 
reasonable and just. * 

J. W. POWELL, 
Director TJ. S. Geological Survey. 

[On margin.] 

I certify that the articles heroin named will bo accounted for on my returns for the Ist quarter, 1887. 

J. E. ALLEU. Custodian. 

[Indorsement.] 


Voucher No. 36, Ist quarter, 188-. 

Appropriation for United States Geological Survey. 

Accounts of J. I). McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. S. G. S. 

Paid to W. B. Moses & Son, for office desk (one); amount, $Gi).00. 

Paid by check No. 3031, for $60.00, dated July r2th, 1887, on U. S. Treasurer, Washington, D, C. 

It will be observed that the purcbase voucher bears a certilicate from tlte custo¬ 
dian of property (whose functions are set forth in another paragraph) who thereby 
assumes responsibility for the property purchased. 

Vouchers properly signed and certified are jiaid upon presentation to the disbursing 
officer for the division. Tliey are then audited in the office of the chief disbursing 
clerk, and finally examined, approved, and certified by the director, after which they 
are transmitted through the Secretary of the Interior to the Treasury Department for 
final settlement. It is the plan of the the Director to have the accounts of the dis¬ 
bursing officer substantially audited in his own office, where all the circumstances 
aftecting their integrity and propriety are best known, and to have every expendi¬ 
ture so fully explained on the voucher or accompanying papers that the accounting 
officers of the Treasury may have all necessary iiertineut facts submitted to them. 
Thus far in the history of the Survey every voucher which has been accepted by the 
chief disbursing clerk and approved by the Director has been found satisfactory to 
the Comptroller of the Treasury and has been allowed in full. 

All vouchers are made in duplicate. The original set is forwarded by the chief dis¬ 
bursing officer through the Secretary of the Interior to the Auditor of the Treasury, 
and used in making settlements, and the duplicate set is retained by the officer mak¬ 
ing the disbursement. 

It will be observed that the voucher system appears somewhat cumbrous, particu¬ 
larly in the case of vouchers for traveling expenses; but the plan upon which they 
are framed is simple, and some detail is unavoidable in carrying out the principles 
(1) that the documentary authority and responsibility for every transaction shall 
coincide with the actual authority and responsibility, and (2) that every agent of the 
Government shali be required to establish the integrity of his transactions. 

Administrative authority is necessarily delegated to subordinates in many cases; 
but in such case it is not the method of the Survey to permit the documentary au¬ 
thority to remain by conventional fiction with the chief. Accordingly, no person is 
required to certify to the correctness of a voucher unless the expenditure was made 
under his immediate supervision, or he has every means of knowing the fiicts in regard 
to it. In the practice of the Survey the chief of a division or party authorizes a 
journey by a subordinate ; the subordinate performs the journey, taking receipts from 
outside parties for all expenditures except those concerning which the superior officer 
is informed or may readily inform himself (regular fares and meal rates, &e.), thereby 
establishing the integrity of each transaction by collateral evidence; and being 
perfectly familiar with the circumstances of the entire journey, he makes oath to the 
correctness of his account so far as the details of the voucher are concerned. The 
chief of division or party who authorizes the journey is then only required to satisfy 
himself and to certify that the routes of travel coincide with the instructions, that 
the time occupied was not excessive, that the rates charged are current, and in a 
general way that the account is correct and just; but since he is responsible for the 
iourney, he is required to certify that it was necessary. The proper disbursing officer, 
after tinding that all regulations have been complied with, indorses and pays the 
account thus assuming responsibility for its technical accuracy ; and finally the Di¬ 
rector scrutinizes the voucher, and, if his judgment confirms that of the disbursing 
officer as to its accuracy and that of the chief of the division or party as to its 
necessity, certifies it, thus assuming general responsibility to the Federal Treasury for 
the entire transaction. But the actual responsibility at every stage is fixed by docu- 
mentarv evidence ; the Director is protected by the indorsements of the disbursing 
officer and chief of division, one of whom is bonded and the other as effectively 
bound by his scientific reputation and desire to accomplish maximum results with 
the money at his disposal, as already set forth ; the disbursing officer is protected by 
the various persons whose signatures are affixed to the document; the chief of di- 


404 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


vision is protected in turn by the certificate and oath of the subordinate; and the 
subordinate is protected by the parties with whom his business was transacted and 
whose signatures are affixed to the suhvoiibhers. 


Transportation upon Bonded Railroads. 

The special laws and departmental regulations relating to transportation of Gov¬ 
ernment agents and property over railroads which have received subsidies and laud 
grants are complex, and are modified from time to time as the status of each subsidy 
or grant changes. Accordingly, provision has been made for securing transportation 
for members of the Survey force over “bonded” railroads by means of transportation 
requests issued by the Department of the Interior. These requests are accepted by 
railroad companies in lieu of cash, and are transmitted by railroad agents through the 
Secretary of the Interior to the chief disbursing clerk, by whom they are recorded and 
approved and finally transmitted to the Treasury Department for settlement. 
Moreover, it is sometimes desirable to reduce to a minimum the sums advanced by 
assistants for necessary traveling expenses, for which they may not be reimbursed 
for weeks or even mouths; and provision has accordingly been made for securing 
transportation upon similar requests directed to railroads that are not bonded. Such 
requests are transmitted through the Interior Department to the central office of the 
Survey, where they are settled. 

Transportation requests are made upon forms signed in blank by the Secretary of 
the Interior and countersigned by the Director. Tliey are numbered in a continuous 
series, and are charged against the officers to whom they are issued in a book kept 
for that purpose by the chief disbursing clerk. When such a request is used a cer¬ 
tificate that transportation has been furnished upon it is filled out by the person re¬ 
ceiving the transportation, and at the same time a coupon certificate of like tenor is 
mailed to the Secretary of the Interior and finally transmitted to the central office of 
the Survey, where it is recorded and tiled. In a(lditiou the omi)loy6 receiving trans¬ 
portation on such requests is required to communicate the fact of such transportation 
and the value thereof to the disbursing officer for the division by whom all such trans¬ 
actions are reported in the account with the allotments for the division. 

A copy of the form for transportation request, together with the coupon acknowledg¬ 
ment, the certificate of the Direetor upon the back, and the stub, which is perma¬ 
nently preserved in the office of the chief disbursing clerk, are appended; 


THE department OE THE INTERIOR 


405 


TUANSPOUTATION REQUEST. 

(The bolder will send this coupon by fir.st mail to tbe Secretary of Interior.) 

Government reqiiest, account of Geol. Survey Office, No. 9, dated Jan. Ist, 1887, in favor of James 

Black and-other person, witb-pounds of extra baggage, from Washington to Chicago, Ill., 

has this first day of Jan’y, 1887, been signed by me and delivered to the agent of Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company at Washington. 

JAMES BLACK, 

77. S. Geol. Survey. 

No. 370.] 


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40C 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


After trausportatiou lias been issued upon such a request the agent of the railioad 
company transmits liis bill for the amount of the transportation, which is then trans¬ 
ferred to a suitable form provided for the purpose and sent to the general office of 
the railroad company for signature, and upon its return the account is paid. The bill 
prepared for the signature of the duly authorized officer of the railroad company is 
thus a voucher for transportation, and, like the ordinary traveling-expense voucher, 
it consists of a bill for the transportation, a receipt for tbe amount paid therefor, and 
a certificate that the account is correct and just and that the transportation was neces¬ 
sary for the work of the Survey—the receipt being signed by the officers of the trans¬ 
portation company, and the certificate by the officer of the Geological Survey author¬ 
izing the journey. A copy of the form used for this purpose is attached: 

APPROPRIATION TOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

The United States to Pennsylvania R. R. Co., Dr. 

For transportation, as follows; 


Date. 

No. of 
request. 

From— 

To— 

« 

No. of 
men. 

Rate per 
man. 

Amount 

paid. 

1887. 
Jan. 1 

370 

Washington, D. C. 

Chicago, III. 

1 

$13 00 

$13 00 

13 00 


Received at "Washington, D. C.,this 20th day of January, 188-, from Jno. D. McChesney, chief dis¬ 
bursing clerk U. S. G. S., the sum of thirteen dollars and-cents, in full payment of the above 

account, receipts having been signed in duplicate, and I certify that the rates charged in the above 
account were the current and lowest rates charged the public when the tickets were issued. 

(Sign here.) PENRSYLVANIA R. R. CO., 
Per J. C. BROWN, Treasurer. 

I certify that the above account is correct and just; that transportation was furnished as above 
stated, and that it was necessary for the work of the U. S. Geological Survey. 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director U. S. Geological Survey. 

[Indorsement.] 

Voucher No. 39, 1st quarter, 1887. 

Appropriation for United States Geolof»ieal Survey. 

Accounts of Jno. D. McChesney, ehief disbursing clerk U. S. G. S. 

Paid to Pennsylvania R. R. Co., for transportation of assistants. 

Amount, $13.00; paid by check No. 331, for $13.00, dated Jan. 20th, 1887 on U. S. Treasurer, Wash¬ 
ington, D. C. 

Provision is also made for the transportation of x)roperty in accordance with the 
system established by the Quartermaster-General of the Army. When an officer of the 
Survey desires to transport bulky property he either turns it over to a quartermaster, 
after properly addressing the parcels, add requests him to forward it, or, if there is no 
quartermaster at tbe point of shipment, he writes to the one nearest that point, de¬ 
scribing the shiximent, and requesting duplicate bills of lading. On receipt of these 
the freight is shipped, and the bills of lading, after signature by the agent of the 
railroad, are returned to the quartermaster. 

The request for transportation of property addressed to the nearest quartermaster 
is made upon the accompanying form. The form of shipping label used by the Survey 
is also appended; on its reverse are printed directions for packing and shipping. 

At the time the property is shipped an announcement of the shipment is mailed 
upon a penalty card jirovided for the xmrpose, a copy of which is appended. A form 
printed upon a penalty card is also iirovided for announcing the receipt of the property 
transferred. It also is appended. 

REQUEST FOR BILLS OF LADING. 

Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, 

Fort Wingate, N. Mex., June 26, 1887. 

To the U. S. Quartermaster at Fort Wingate, N. Mex.: 

Sir: I have ready a shipment of public property belonging to the United States Geological Survey 
which I desire to forward from Wingate, N. Mex., to Washington, D. C., in accordance with the pro¬ 
visions of General Orders No. 9, issued by the Adjutant-General, U. S. Army, February 7,1880. It con¬ 
sists of the following parcels: One box containing specimens of rocks, &c., and weighs, annroximatelv 
95 pounds. ^ i 

The parcels are marked as follows: Director U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. 

I have the honor to request that you send me duplicate bills of lading therefor, freight to bo collected 
from the U. S. Geological Survey through the Secretary of the Interior. The bills of lading will bo re¬ 
turned to you after signature. 

Very respectfully, 


A. H. THOMSON, 
Geographer U. S. G. S. 
















THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


407 


SHIPPING LABEL. 

U. S. Geological Survey. 

TO THE DIRECTOR U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 


No. 30. 

Date of letter or invoice, June 27,1887. 

Deliver to A. H. Thomson, 

Weight, 95 pounds. 

Geol. Survey, 

Rate per 100 lbs, 50 cents. 

Washington. 

Contents, specimens. 


Shipped from Wingate, N. M. 

By A. H. Thomson, in charge of U. S. Geol. Survey Camp. 


[Be verse.] * 

Note. —All boxes should be carefully packed, and the lids, when practicable, fastened with screws. 
All the packages shipped by each party should be numbered in consecutive order on the invoices, and 
special care should be taken to mark on each label, in proper place, the date of invoice or letter of ad¬ 
vertisement and number of package. Shipments to be by freight unless otherwise specially author¬ 
ized. (See chapter 3, page 3, of the Regulations.) Duplicate labels to appear on each box, one on the 
top, a second on side or end. 


NOTICE OF SHIPMENT. 


[Address side of card.] 

Department of the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 

OFFICIAL BUSINESS. 

Penalty for private use, 

To the Director IT. S. Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C. 

[Reverse side of card.] 

U. S. Geological Survey, 
Canton, Ohio, June 27 1887. 

Sir: I have shipped one box. Nos. 1 to-inc., containing 1 barometer, No. 2701. 


[If specimens, collector’s name and address.] 

Conveyance, Adams Express; charges, $-. 

Very respectfully. 


To the Director. 


C. M. BELL, 
Ass't, U. S. G. S. 


RECEIPT FOR SHIPMENT. 


[Address side of card.] 


Department of the Interior, 
U. S. Geological Survey, 

OFFICIAL BUSINESS. 


Penalty for private use, $300. 


C. M. BELL, 

U. S. Geol. Survey, 


Canton, Ohio. 


[Reverse side of card. | 


IT. S. Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. O., July 3, 1887. 

Sir : I have received one box. Nos. i to-inc., containing 1 barometer. No. 2701, 


from yourself at Canton, Ohio. 
Conveyance, Adams Express; charges, $ 
Very respectfully. 

To the Director. 


[If specimens, collector’s name and address.] 


JAMES C. PILLING 
Chief Clerk, U. S. O. S. 


The accounts of the transportation of property are transmitted by quartermasters 
to the War Department, and thence to the chief disbursing clerk of the Survey, by 
■whom they are approved and recorded and dually transmitted to the Treasury for 
settlement. 






408 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR. 


The Disbursing Officers and their Specific Duties. 

The fiscal operations of the Survey are in charge of a chief disbursing clerk ; but 
it has been found expedient to employ a number of disbursing agents to act under his 
general direction. There are at present twelve disbursing agents jn the Survey; 
three of these are employed exclusively in the work pertaining to the fiscal branch of 
the Survey, three (in addition to the Director) are geologists, two are topographers, 
one is an assistant geologist, one is the chief clerk, and one is a geograjiher, who 
merely add the labor of disbursing to their other duties. 

The chief disbursing clerk and each disbursing agent has an independent account 
with the Treasury; but all requisitions for funds, and all quarterly statements ac¬ 
companied by vouchers, pass through the office of the chief disbursing clerk, and an 
account is kept with the annual appropriations and with each disbursing agent. 

The following books are used in keeping a record of the office transactions, and in¬ 
dicate the character of the business in the office of the chief disbursing officer and the 
methods of recording it, viz: (1) A book of letters i-ent and received, comprising all 
correspondence relating to the fiscal operations of the Survey: (2) a ledger, in which 
are kept the accounts with the annual appropriations and with the disbursing agents; 
(3) a book of requisitions for advances of money from the Treasury; (4) an allot¬ 
ment book, containing an account with each chief of division, in wdiich he is debited 
with the amount allotted to him and credited with his expenditures; (5) a record of 
vouchers paid, into which are copied in detail all vouchers paid by the disbursing 
agents, and which accordingly contains a complete record of each fiscal transaction of 
the Survey; (6) a record of bonded railroad accounts, in which are kept the accounts 
rendered by railroads for transportation of persons and property in accordance with 
section 5260 of the Revised Statutes; (7) a record of transportation requests issued, 
in which are recorded the requisitions for transportation of property and persons 
traveling on public duty over bonded railroads in accordance with the statute last 
mentioned ; (8) a classification of exqienditures, in which the various expenditures of 
the Survey are arranged in schedules; (9) a balance book, in which are kept the 
quarterly accounts of disbursing officers of the Survey ; and (10) a series of books of 
property received and shipped, containing a record of all collections, specimens, in¬ 
struments, and other property received and transmitted. 

Sample leaves from the second, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth of these 
books are appended. The book of letters sent and received is described elsewhere; 
the book of requisitions consists of bound duplicates of a form already introduced ; 
the balance book is kept in a part of the ledger reserved for the purpose ; and the 
general property books are described in another paragraph. 

LEDGER. 

U. S. Geological Survey in account with United States. 

[Appropriation 1898-’99.] 


Dr. 







































THE! department OP THE INTERIOR. 


409 


ALLOTMENT BOOK. 

Allotment of S, W. section of topography, for fiscal year ending June 30 , 1890 , John Doe 

in charge. 


Dr. 


Date of allotment. 

Purposes for which made. 

Amount. 

1899. 

July 15.... 

Salarifi.s and evpensp.a 

$2,000 


John Doe, at $1,200 per annum. 

W. Willson, at $600 per annum. 

J. Jackson, at $40 per mouth. 

Henry Fnrgnson, at $25 per month. 



Cr. 


Date of payment. 

No. of 
vouchor. 

To whom 
jiaid. 

For what paid. 

By whom 
paid. 

Amount. 

1899. 

Aug. 1. 

“ 15. 

45 

John Doe... 
John Doe... 
W. Willson 

Salary, July, ’99. 

Peqni.^itinn No. .542 

N. Nooton .. 

$100 0". 
5. 000 O') 
55 11 

“ 20. 

90 

Misc’l. field expenses. 

N. Nooton .. 


VOUCHER RECORD. 

Record of vouchers paid from appropriation U. S. Geological Survey, fiscal year 188 -, for 

the Ath quarter, 1889 . 

[By whom paid, John Doe; and where, Denver, Col.J 


No. of 
voucher 

Date 
of pur¬ 
chase. 

Date 
of pay¬ 
ment. 

From whom purchased or 
rendered, and where. 

Articles or services. 

Amount. 

Total 

40 

Oct. 10 

Dec. 5 

John Smith, Denver, Col.. 

Hay for Survey animals; 100 
pounds hay at Jc. per pound. 

. $0 50 

$0 50 


BONDED RAILROAD ACCOUNT. 

William Jones, geologist, in account with transportation requests. 

Dr. 


Date. 

Number. 


From— 

To— 


1887. 
July 31 

501 

505 



Or. 


Date. 

Number 

of 

request. 

To whom issued. 

From— 

To— 

1887. 
Aug. 5 

501 

P.icha.rd Poe_______ 

Chicago, Ill. 

Saint Paul, Minn, 




Hailroad, 

Cost 
of fare. 

Date 
when 
audited 
or set¬ 
tled. 

Number 
turned in at 
main office. 

Number 

canceled. 

From— 

To— 

From— 

To- 

C. M, and S. P. 

$10 00 

1887. 
Aug. 15 

503 

505 

.502 

502 



















































































410 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


RECORD OF TRANSPORTATION REQUESTS. 
[Property,] 


Date 

of Govern¬ 
ment order. 

Date 

of way-bill. 

Number of 
way-bill 
or order. 

From— 

To— 

Article. 

1887. 

January 10. 

1887. 

January 10. 

45 

Cheyenne, Wyo ... 

Council Bluffs, la. 

5 boxes specimens. 

"Weight. 

Rate. 

Amount. 

Miles. 

Amount. 

aid. 

Amount 

non-aid. 

Total. 

Remarks. 

Aid. 

Non¬ 

aid. 

700 

$1.00 

$7.00 

100 

600 

O 

o 

1 

$6.00 

$7. 00 

iVsIr A. 


[Persons.] 


Date of 
order. 

No. of 
order. 

Issued by— 

Favor of— 

From— 

To— 

Amoun 

1886. 

August 1. 

575 

John Doe. 

Peter Roe .... 

Chicago, Ill... 

Council Bluffs, Iowa .. 

$11 50 


Accounts. 

Transportation 

furnished. 

Remarks. 

Received. 

Forwarded. 

1887. 

January 10.'. 

1887. 

February 1. 

1887. 

August 5 . 

1587 R- of A. 





CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURES. 

Classification of expendilnres made from appropriation for U. S. Geological Survey, fiscal 

?/ear‘l88b-’89. 


By whom made. 

Account current. 

N umber 
of 

voucher. 

Schedule 
A.—Serv¬ 
ices. 

Schedule 
B.— Trav¬ 
eling ex¬ 
penses. 

Schedule 
C.—Trans- 
portgt.ion 
of property. 

John Doe, special disbursing 
agent. 

Second quarter, 1899... 

1 

$2 00 

$5 00 

$10 00 


Each disbursing agent reports to the Director weekly his total disbursements, the ' 
balance of funds in his personal possession, and the balance in United States depos¬ 
itories. These weekly statements are made upon forms of which a copy is appended. 
Each bears upon its back instructions for use, and a blank for suitable indorsement. 

WEEKLY REPORT. 

Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Topeka, Kam., August 3,1887. 

Sir: I have the honor to report ray balance of public funds on deposit and in hand at close of the 
week ending July 30, 1887, as follows: 


Balance as shown by report for week ending July 23, 1887 .$4, 000 00 

lieceived since last weekly report. 00 

-$4,000 00 

Expended during the week. .. 76C 30 

Transferred and deposited to the credit of U. S. Treasurer. 7CC 30 

. 00 


Total amount for which I am accountable.. 3 , 233 70 


which is accounted for as follows : 












































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


411 


DEPOSITED WITH— 


Assistant Treasurer United States, New York, N. Y. $2, 753 70 

in checks or drafts.* 00 

In personal possession, by authority from Treasury Department, Ipril 4, 1885 . . 480 00 


WITH OTHEU PARTIES, VIZ: 


00 


IN transitu: 

From.. .. 

To.■ . 


0 00 


Total as above 


3,233 70 


Very respectfully, 


To the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C. 


JOHN DOE, 
Special Disburs'ing Agent. 


The cliief disbursing clerk prepares weekly an abstract of the returns of the va¬ 
rious disbursing agents, which also is submitted to the Director. The blank used for 
this xnirpose is attached: 


weekly abstract. 


Depository. y 

V 

\ 

% 

Alfred M. Ilogers, dis¬ 
bursing clerk. 

Week ending July 30, 
1887. 

Keport by 
otlicer. 

Report by 
depository. 

Treasurer of the United States, Washington, D, C__........._ 

$459 73 
275 10 

$499 10 
500 25 

Anaiutant. Treasurer United States, New York, N. Y___ 


Depository. 

John H. Rensbawe, 
disbursing agent. 

Week ending July 30, 
1887. 

Report by 
officer. 

Report by 
depository. 

A aaistant Treasorer of the United States S;m Francisco, Cala ...__ 

$1,349 81 
592 23 

$1, 575 85 
592 23 

First National Tlank, Denver, Ool________......_ 



































412 


THE DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR 


Tbe disbursing officers also render quarterly accounts to tbc Treasury, accompanied 
by tbe vouchers paid during tbe quarter, and by an abstract of tbe payments made 
vm tbe vouchers. Tbe forms used in preparing these accounts-current and tbe ab¬ 
stracts of disbursements are appended: 

ACCOUNT-CURRENT. 

[Appropriation for United States Geological Survey ] 

Ahsti’aot of disbursements made bu John Doe, disbursing agent, U. S. Geological Surveiji 

during the third quarter of 1698. 


No. of 
voucher. 

To whom paid. 

For what paid. 

Amount. 

1 

2 

.Tnhn Smith__ ___ 

Salary for July, 1898.... 

$200 

299 

W^ill .Tones___ 

Field expenses July, 1898. 

Total___ 


499 




QUARTERLY AliSTRACT. 

[Appropriations for United States Geological Survey, fiscal year ending June 30, 1899.1 

Dr. The United States in account current witJi John Doe, disbursing agent. Cr. 


1898. 
Sept. 30 

To amount expended during 
the thiid quarter of 1898, as 
per vouchers and abstracts 
herewith. 

$499 

1 

1898. 

J uly 1 

Due the United States as per 
account-current rendered for 
the second quarter of 1898 ... 
By Treasury di-aft No. 42, on 
Interior civil warrant No. 70. 

Sept. 30 

To balance duo the United 
States carried to new ac¬ 
count .. 

July 3 








500 




I certify tbat the foregoing is a true account of all money received hy me from the appropriation for 
United States Geological Survey, not heretofore accounted for, and that the disbursements have ,been 
faithfully made. 

JOHN DOE, 

Disbursing Agent, JJ. S. Geological Survey. 

Dated at Washington, D. C., September 30, 1898. 

Communications to employes absent from tbe headquarters of disbursing officers, to 
whom funds are transmitted by mail, and to dealers or carriers who have submitted 
bills, are simple, and are made upon suitable forms, copies of which are attached : 


LETTER TRANSMITTING CHECK. 


E. M. Whitfield, 

XT. S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, A'liz.: 


Department of the Interior, 
United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. (7., July 10, 1887. 


Sir: I transmit herewith my official check No. 903G1, on the assistant treasurer at Saint Louis, Mo., 
payable to your order, Ixir the sum of $100 in payment of jmur account for traveling expenses from 


Washington, D. C., to Flagstaff, Ariz 
Please acknowledge receipt. 

Very respectfully, 


G inclosure.l 


C. D. DUNN, 
Disbursing Agent, JJ. S. G. S. 


LETTER TRANSMITTING ACCOUNT. 


E. M. Whitfield, 

U. S. Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Ariz.: 


Department of the Interior, 
United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., July 10, 1887. 


Sir: I herewith inclose an account in favor of yourself for traveling expenses, Washington, D. C.. 
to Flagstaff, Ariz., amounting to $100. 

Please sign the receiiits, and return vouchors to this office for settlement. 

Respectfully, 

JOHN D. McCHESNEY, 

Chief Disbursing Clerk, JJ. S. G. S. 

(2 iuclosures.) 





























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


413 


Alii ougli salaries are generally paid moatlily, serai-monthly payments are some- 
times made; and in such cases receipts are taken for the semi-monthly payments. 
The following blank is used for the purpose: 

SEMI-MONTHLY 8ALAUY RECEIPT. 

Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. O., Jan. 15, 1887. 

Koceivod from Jno. D. McChesney, chief disbursing clerk, U. S. G. S., the sum of fifty dollars, 
on account of salary due me as stenographer from January 1st, 1887, to January Slst, 1887, at $1,200 
per annum. ^ 

Check No. Cash. JAMES BLACK. 

Salaries of employes in Washington are generally paid in cash—the exact amounts 
being counted out by two clerks aud^sealed in heavy mauila paper envelopes bearing 
a statement of contents, made upon the accompanying form* 

SALARY ENVELOPE. 


U. S. Geological Survey. 

For month of January, 1887. 

$100 monthly salary. 

50 less semi-monthly. 

50 balance due. 


James Black. 


Payments on salary and other vouchers sent to headquarters of disbursing officers 
from distant points are usually made upon checks, which are transmitted by regis¬ 
tered mail. 

The chief disbursing clerk of the Survey is Mr. John D. McChesney. He has an 
office in the building occupied by the Survey in Washington, and employs eight 
assistants. The disbursing agents, the amount of the bond of each, the divisions or 
sections for which they disburse, and their headquarters are indicated in the accom¬ 
panying table. 

Special dishursmg agents of the Survey. 


Name. 

Amount 
of bond. 

Position. 

Division or section. 

Headquarters. 

.T. w _ 

$10, 000 
20,000 

Director ... 

General. 

Washington. 

Not fixed. 

Christie, P. n. 

Topographer . 

Appalachian s o c - 
tion of Topog. 

Dtivis C D “ 

10, 000 

Assistant geologist. 


Massachusetts. 




Gilbert, G. K. 

10, 000 

Geologist. 

Appalachian divis¬ 
ion of Geol. 

Washington. 

'pfa.triiA A _-_ 

0,000 

....do. 

Yellowstone Park 

Mammoth Hot 
Springs, W. T. 



division of Geol. 


10, 000 

__<lo. 

California division 

San Francisco. 



of Geol. 

Karl, Anton. 

5, 000 

Topographer. 

Northeastern sec¬ 
tion. 

Washington. 

Kerr, Mark B. 

20, 000 

Disbursing agent... 

Cascade section of 
Topog. 

Not fixed. 

Pilling, J. C. 

10, 000 

Chief clerk. 

Western section of 
Topog. 

Do 

llenshawe, John II. 

10, 000 

Geographer.. 

Central section of 
Topog. 

Do 

Ilogers, Alfred M. 

10.000 

Disbursing agent... 

Rocky Mountain 
division of Geol. 

Denver. 

Taylor, A. O’D., jr. 

12, 000 

Special disbursing 
agent. 

Division Archean 
geology. 

Newport, R. I. 






































414 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


THE CUSTODIAL SYSTEM. 

The Principles of the System. 

• 

The fundamental principles out of which the custodial system of the Survey has 
grown are related to those underlying the fiscal system. They are as follows: (1) Ev¬ 
ery means should he adopted to prevent extravagance and reckless use of the prop¬ 
erty of the Survey; (2) every agent of the Survey should be required to account tor 
all property in his custody ; and (3) res^jonsibility should not be merely documentary 
but actual. • 

As already set forth, the chiefs of scientific divisions have every incentive to secure 
economic administration of the business affairs of their divisions; they are responsi¬ 
ble for the property under their control; and tlieir subordinates are responsible to 
them. But in order to definitely fix the responsibility for every article in the posses¬ 
sion of the Survey, there is a class of agents, made up mainly of chiefs of divisions and 
their scientific assistants who are designated “custodians of property,” who are 
charged with the custody of, and are held responsible for, all property owned by the 
Survey ; and this class of agents is made so large that each individual may have per¬ 
sonal knowledge of every article with which he is charged. In order to avoid dual 
resj)ousibility on the part of the same individual in different roles, the two chj/ses of 
business officers—disbursing agents and custodians of property—are made up as far as 
practicable of different individuals. 

The Methods Employed. 

All [>roperty acquired by the Survey is placed in the hand of the custodians of 
property, who are held responsible therefor. The custodians incur responsibility 
through the certificates on the purchase vouchers, as already noted; and there is a 
system of records by which the responsibility is constantly fixed and by which ac¬ 
counts relating to all property in the possession of the Survey are kept in convenient 
form. 

Property is classed as expendible and non-expendible. The first class comprises 
articles which are either consumed {e.g., food and forage), quickly worn out in serv¬ 
ice (e. </., certain tools), or perishable (e. ^ 7 ., certain laboratory apparatus). The 
second class comprises articles which with ordinary care last for considerable periods. 
The two classes are treated alike in the records, save in their ultimate disposition. 

The various articles required in the prosecution of the work of the Survey have 
been classified under these two heads in the printed “Regulations” issued in 1882. 
Among the schedules of authorized expenditures enumerated in this document, nine 
comprehend property required in the prosecution of the work of the Survey, viz : 
(1) “Field subsistence”; (2) “field supplies”; (3) “stationery and drawing ma¬ 
terial,” and (4) “office supplies and repairs,” which are expendible ; and (5) “ field 
material”; ((>) “instruments,” and (7) “office furniture,” which are non-expendi¬ 
ble; and (8) “laboratory material,” and (9) “photographic material,” which are in 
part expendible and in part non-expendible. 

Both classes of Survey property are sometimes transferred from district to district, 
and from one custodian to another. This is done by means of an invoice and receipt, 
in which the property is so described that every article may be readily identified. 
The invoice is filed with the orders and purchase-vouchers by the custodian into whose 
hands it passes; the receipt is filed by the custodian who surrenders the propertj’^; 
and a record of the transaction is entered! n the returns of each custodian. Copies 
of the invoice and receipt used for this i)urposo are appended: 

IX'VOICE OF PHOPEBTY. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

Invoice of puhlic property transferred hy John Smith, custodian of the U. S. Geological 

Survey at Washington, D. C., to George Blade, custodian at San Francisco, Cal., on the 

2dth day of June, 1887. 


Number. 

Quantity. 

Articles. 

C 1 

1 pr. 

Saddle-bags. 

Geological hamrr sr. 

. \ 2 

]. 




I certify that I have this day transfeirod to George Black the above specified articles. 

JOHN SMITH, 

Custodian, TJ. S. Geological Survey, 


(Sign in duplicate.) 











THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


415 


RECEIPT FOR PROPERTY. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

Received at Washington, D. C., this 29th day of June, 1887, from John Smith, cus¬ 
todian, the following-named articles: 


Number. 

Quantity. 

Articles. 


1 pr. 

Saddle-bags. 

.12 

1 . 

Geological hammer. 


(Sign in dnplicate.) 


GEORGE BLACK, 
Custodian, IT. N. Geological Survey. 


Each custodian of property makes a quarterly return of property, in which, as will 
appear from the accompanying blank, all articles in his custody are enumerated and 
described, and full information is conveyed, both as to the condition of the property 
in his hands and.as to the disposition of all property transferred or expended during 
the quarter. 


PROPERTY RETURN. 

[First page.] 

Quarterly return of United States Geological Survey property for the quarter ending 

June 30, 1883, rendered by John Smith. 

[To be made in duplicate.] 


[Second page.] 

Return of United States Geological Surveij property 2nd quarter of 1886. 


List of articles. 

Note.—A s many 
lines to be al¬ 
lowed for each 
article as will 
give sutticient 
space in 1 be 
column of “Re¬ 
marks ” 

tc 

so 

^ . 
^ 0 

3 6 

•S^ 

■A 

a 

.y* 

'5 

© 

Q 

On baud as per last re¬ 
turn. 

Received during the quar¬ 
ter. 

Total to be accounted for. 

Disposed of during ibe 
quarter. 

0 

>> 

c3 

to 

00 

X 

a 

jq 

a 

0 

Remar ks. 

Note.—I n this column will be stated, opposite the name 
of each article, whether what was received during 
the quarter" was by purchase or otherwise, and 
wliether paid for or not. Also, w liether what was 
''disposed of" was expended or transferred, or other¬ 
wise disposed of. If expended, the object of expendi¬ 
ture to bo stated; if transferred, the person to whom, 
and the authority; if disposed of otherwise than by ex¬ 
penditure or transfer, the authority and manner to bo 
stated. 

Schedule D. 








Meat, cured. 

Moal corn_ 

Ib.s. 

lbs. 

.... 

51 

20 

51 

20 

51 

20 

.... 

Purch. V. 159., expended m subsisting field party. 

Purch. V. 159., expended in subsisting field party. 

S 11 p-ar... 

lbs. 


60 

60 

60 


Purch. v.*159,^203, expended in subsisting field party. 

Tea. 

lbs. 


3 

3 

3 


Purch. V. 103,115, 203, expended in subsisting field party. 

Schedule E. 








Ax handles. 

Nnils . -. - - - - 

No. 

lbs. 

.... 

4 

10 

4 

10 

4 

10 

.... 

Purch. V, 14, expended in repairing axes. 

Purch. V. 16, expended in repairing field outfit. 

Schedule F. 








A -ves__... 

No. 

6 


6 


6 

Invoiced to Geo. Black. 

Invoiced to Geo. Black. 

Hammer, Geol.. - 
Bags, saddle. 

pr. 

No. 

1 

1 

• “ * * 

1 

1 

i 

1 

.... 













































416 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The quarterly returns are compared aud verified by the property clerk, who has 
oversight of custodial matters, and the various returns are transferred to a general 
property book, which contains a record of all public property in possession of the Sur¬ 
vey. A sample leaf from this book is inserted: 

PROrEUTY BOOK. 

Consolidated return of jyuhlic property of the United States Geological Survey, received^ 

disposed of, and remaining on hand. 


List of articles. 

Number or quantity. 

Date reported. 

John Doe, custodian. 

Richard Roe, custodian. 

On hand as 
per last re¬ 
turn. 

Received dur¬ 
ing the quar¬ 
ter. 

1 

Total to be ac¬ 
counted for. 

Disposed o f 

during the 

quarter. 

On hand 30th 

day of March, 

1887. 

® A 

2 

a ® 

t- B 

4> 3 

a 

O 

Received dur¬ 

ing the quar¬ 
ter. 

Total to be ac¬ 

counted for. 

Disposed o f 

during the 

quarter. 

On hand 30th 

day of March, 

1887. 

Tables, drawing. 

No. 


5 

1 

6 


6 

3 

I 

4 

1 

3 


There is an additional record of all property passing through the hands of the 
property clerk, kept in two books provided for that purpose. In the first there is en¬ 
tered a record of all articles received, of the parties from whom received, of the car¬ 
rier by whom they are delivered, &c.; and in the second there is a like entry of all 
articles shipped by the property clerk, the consignees, the destination, the carriers 
or transportation line, &c. Sample leaves of these books are appended: 

RECORD OF PROPERTY RECEIVED. 

Public property received at Washington, D. C., United States Geological Survey Office. 


No. 

Time re¬ 
ceived. 

By whom shipped. 

To whom shipped. 

How received—by what 
conveyance. 

For whom. 

1 

C 1887. \ 

{ Apr. 17 5 

Y. Mindell, Balto. 

J. W. Powell_ 

Adams Express. 



Number 

packages. 

Contents. 

Weight or 
measurement. 

Rate. 

Signature of person receiv¬ 
ing the property. 

Remarks. 

1 

1 barometer. 

10 pounds. 

50c. h’d. 

J. E. Allen. 

Public property. 


RECORD OF PROPERTY SHIPPED. 

Public property shipped from Washington, D. C., United States Geological Survey Office 


No. 

Time sent. 

To whom sent, and where. 
(Consignee.) 

How sent—by what con¬ 
veyance. 

For whom. 


C 1887. 

Jolin Stevenson, Elag-stafF. 

Express; Wells, Fargo 

John Smith. 

1 

\ Apr. 1 

Ariz. 

&. Co. 



Number 

packages. 

Contents. 

Weight or 
measurement. 

Ratos. 

Signature of carrier or 
agent. 

Remarks. 

1 

1 camp kit.... 

100 pounds.... 

50c. h’d . 

J. C. Belham. 

Public, property. 















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


417 


A still further record of property passing through the general office is kept upon 
cards which are used, first, for notifying addressees of the receipt and transmittal of 
goods by the property clerk, and, second, by the addressees for advising the property 
clerk as to the character of the goods. The forms of face and reverse of this card are 
appended. 

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF PROPERTY. 


Mr, E. P. Hoff, 

TT. S. Geological Survey: 


[Face of card.] 


U. S. GEOLoeiCAL Survey, 
Washington, D. O., May 10,1887. 


Sir : I send you herewith one package addressed to you. If public property, indicate on the re¬ 
verse side ot this card the shipper, whence shipped, and the contents. If private matter, remit bv 
bearer 35 cents, the express or freight charges. 

By order of the Director: 

Kespectfully, JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

[Reverse of card.] 


To the Director, U. S. Geological Survey : 


May 10, 1887. 


Sir : The packages received herewith are public property, were shipped by Jones & Co., from 
What Cheer, Iowa, and contain specimens of Carbonaceous shale for analysis. 

Respectfully, 


Charges inclosed, $ 


E. P. HOFF, 

Chemist. 


When non-expendible property is transferred from a custodian to any employh of 
the Survey who is not a custodian, a receipt for it is taken, and the employd thereby 
becomes responsible to the custodian. Commonly the receipt used between custo¬ 
dians is employed for this purpose; but there is a special form of receipt provided 
for field idstruments, as follows: 


RECEIPT FOR FIELD INSTRUMENTS. 


Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., January 1, 1887. 

Received of James A. Maher, custodian of field instruments, the following instruments : One ane¬ 
roid barometer. 


EDGAR MARLEY, 
Topographer U. S. O. S. 


As property is consumed, worn out, lost, or otherwise rendered unserviceable, it 
becomes necessary to make record of the fact; and it is to facilitate this that the 
classification of property has been devised. When expendible property has been con¬ 
sumed or destroyed (he custodian to whom it is charged is authorized to drop it from 
his record, either with the simple statement that it has been expended or, if the ex¬ 
penditure is in any way unusual, with an explanation as to the manner in which it 
has been expended. But when non-expendible is worn out or otherwise rendered 
unserviceable, the custodian reports the fact to the Director and requests to be re¬ 
lieved of responsibility ; and the Director, after having satisfied himself of its pro¬ 
priety, by personal inspection or by other means, grants the desired relief. Usually 
the property is inspected by -a specially authorized officer of the Survey. The blank 
used for reiiorting the results of the inspection and for the certificates of the respon¬ 
sible officer is apiiended: 

report of inspecting officer. 


Inventory of United States Geological Survey property, Colorado division, for which S F. 
Emmons, custodian, United States Geological Survey, is responsible. Inspected by John 
Smith. 



Articles 

(in alphabetical order). 

Condition 

when 

received. 

How long 
in use. 

Present condition. 

Remarks and recom¬ 
mendations. 

1 


New_ 

2 years.... 

W orn out. 

To be dropped from re- 





turn as worthless. 

2 

Dippf'rs _ 

...do. 

6 months.. 

Broken, unserviceable. 

Do. 

o 


fin_ 

2 Years... 

_do. 

Do. 








[Certificate of oflBicer responsible for property.] 


I certify that the above inventory is correct. 
Station; Treka, Col 
Date: October 3,1885. 

[Signature:] 


JOHN SMITH, 

Oeol., Assistant. 


4402 INT- 27 



























418 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


[Certificate of iuapectiug olficer.] 

I certify that I have carefully examined the articles mentioned in the foregoing inventory, and, find¬ 
ing their condition as stated, I recommend that they be disposed of as indicated. 

Location of property: Yreka, Col. 

Date: October 3,1885. 

[Signature:] K- Y. QUALLIE, 

^ Geologist. 

[Indorsements. ] 

II] 


List of United States geological survey property for which S. F. Emmons, custodian, is responsible. 
Inspection report of John Smith, geologist, Treka, Col., Octobers, 1885. 


[ 2 ] 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. O., -, 188—. 


The within articles will be disposed of as recommended. 


J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


It sometimes happens that property (for example, animals and vehicles) becomes 
unsuitable for the purposes of the Survey, yet retains some value. If such property 
is in Washington it is turned over to the Interior Department to be sold, and the pro¬ 
ceeds covered into the United States Treasury, when responsibility for it terminates; 
but if the property is in the held, the custodian having charge of it reports its con¬ 
dition to the Director, who, after sufficient inspection, authorizes him to sell it at 
public auction in accordance with statutory provision, after due notice, which is 
posted on the blank hereto ap^iended: 

NOTICE OF AUCTION SALE. 


AUCTION SALE. 

GOVERNMENT SALE OF UNSERVICEABLE PROPERTY BE¬ 
LONGING TO THE U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

On Monday morning, July 11, 1887, commencing at 10 
o’clock, at Purcelvillo, Loudoun County, Virginia, will be 
sold the following property: 

One two-horse wagon. 

One set double harness. 

Six wall tents, 8 xlO. 

Terms: Cash in U. S. currency on day of sale, and all 
purchases to be removed immediately after the sale. 

J. W. POWELL, 
Director JJ. S. Geological Survey. 


[On reverse.] 

INSTRUCTIONS TO SURVEY OFFICERS. 

Before property is offered for sale it must be regularly condemned as unserviceable, after proper in 
bpection, as provided by the Regulations of the Survey, on Form 9—047, and authority for the ^le must 
be secured from the Director of the Survey. A detailed statement should be rendered of the articles 
sold and the price secured for each. 

The proceeds of sales of public property must be paid into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts 
without any abatement or reduction whatever. Sales should be made at auction by persons already 
in the employ of the Survey who may be competent to perform such service. The proceeds must be 
transmitted to the Director of the Geological Survey, who will place the same to the credit of the 
Treasurer of the United States. 

It sometimes happens, too, that uoii-expemlible property used in the field is lost or 
di-stroyed through accideut, and provision is made for relieving the custodian of re¬ 
sponsibility in such cases; but it is required that affidavit be made as to the circum¬ 
stances attending the loss or destruction of the property. The affidavit is made upon 
the accompanying form : ^ 

AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS OF PROPERTY. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Topeka, Kans., November 11, 1886. 

, Peison^ly appeared before me the undersigned, a notarv public in and for the county of Shad well 
State of Kansas, George Hawkins, who deposes and says that on the 8tli day of November 1886 two 
(2)liorses, the property of the U. S. Geological Survey, died under the following circumstances • ’ 
They were attacked by a disease resembling glanders about November 1; growinf^ worse tbev be 
came too weak to travel, and on the above date died as stated. & o «y ue- 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


419 


And lie furtlior deposes and says that said death was not the result of carelessness, negligence, or 
disobedience of orders, and that no blame can be attached either to John Sample, •who is responsible 
for said property, or to any person in whose charge the above two horses were at the time said death 
occurred. 

GEORGE HAWKINS. 

Sworn and subscribed to on this 11th day of November 1886. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 

fSEAL.J ■ DEAN MAXWELL, 

JSotary Public. 

i 

When iiou-expeiidible property is disposed of by any of these methods an explana¬ 
tory statement is entered in the record of the custodian and transmitted by him to 
tlie property clerk, -when the custodian’s responsibility ceases. 

In addition to the monthly reports of scientific xirogress, of disbursements, and of 
property, made in the manner already set forth, each held party or division is re¬ 
quired to submit a report of iiersous or articles employed and hired during each 
month. Such reports are made out upon the form appended hereto. 

GENEEAL MONTHLY REPORT. 

Bejport of persons and articles employed and hired at Denver, Colo.., during the month 
of July, 1887, hy J. fV. Fowell, Director, U. S. Geological Survey. 


u 

Names of persons 
and articles. 

Designation 

Services during the 
month. 

Rate of hire or com. 
peusation. 

Date of contract, 
agreement, or 
entry in to serv¬ 
ice. 

<£> 

a 

B 

"A 

and 

occupation. 

From— 

To— 

Days. 

Dolls. 

Cts. 

Day, 

month, or 
annual. 

1 

John Jones. 

Clerk. 

July 1 

July 7 

7 

50 

00 

Month. 

July 1, 1887. 

2 

Richard Roe. 

Teamster... 

July 1 

July 31 

31 

25 

00 

Month. 

Junel, 1887. 

3 

Thomas Paine.... 

Hostler. 

July 1 

July 31 

31 

20 

00 

Month. 

July 1, 1887. 


U 

O 

By whom 
owned. 

Amount 
of rent or 
pay in the 
fuonth. 

a 


Dolls. 

Cts 

1 


11 

29 

2 


25 

00 

3 


20 

OJ 




Remarks showing how the persons were em¬ 
ployed during the month. By whom the 
buildings were occupied, and for what pur¬ 
pose. Discharges will be noted under this 

Time, and the amount due 
and remaining unpaid. 

head, date, &c. 

From— 

To— 

Dolls. 

Cts. 

Making up property" papers.) 

Driving olhce team.> 

Attending to public animals.) 

June 1 

July 3 

50 

00 


Amount of hire and rent during the month. 

Total amount due and remaining unpaid.• 


I certify that the above is a true report of all persons and articles employed and hired hy me during 
the month of July, 1887, and that the statements of amounts due and remaining unpaid are correct. 

W J McGEE, 
Geologist, 77. S. O. S. 


From the foregoing statement it will be seen that every article of which the acqui¬ 
sition is shown by a purchase-voucher is entered upon the return of some custodian, 
and the entry is perpetuated from quarter to quarter until the article is finally dis¬ 
posed of. Thus the records of the property clerk tally with the records of the dis¬ 
bursing clerk; every purchase is representecl in the records of the latter by a purchase- 
voucher; and every article purchased is represented in the records of some custodian 
of property whose signature appears in the voucher, and of the property clerk, until 
some final disposition has been made of it. It will be seen that the custodian incurs 
responsibility either through the certificates upon purchase-vouchers or through his 
receipts for property transferred to him ; and that he is relieved of responsibility (1) 
by invoice of property transferred to and receipted for by other custodians, (2) by 
expenditure, (3) by written authority of the Director in the case of property aban¬ 
doned, (4) by condemnation and sale of property at auction, or (5) by affidavit to the 
accidental loss of property. Complete documentary evidence is thus preserved of 
the custody and disposition of every article purchased by the Survey. 


Camp Equipage and Bations. 

An important part of the work of the Survey is carried on in regions in which it is 
either inexpedient or impossible to find suitable lodgings and subsistence in hotels. 


















































420 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Accordingly, provision is made for the purchase and use of camp equipage and ra¬ 
tions ; but the regulations governing the purchase of such property differ in principle 
from those relating to the acquisition of property used for other purposes. There are 
valid reasons for the distinction. 

As already set forth, economy in the administration of the business affairs of the 
scientific divisions of the Survey is secured by the method of allotment, under which 
chiefs of divisions have the highest incentives to reduce expenses. Such officers are 
accordingly given large discretion in the purchase of the property required in their 
divisions. But camp life may be either economic or excessively extravagant. Long 
experience is required to secure a frugal and successful management of a camp ; and 
it cannot be assumed that the heads of all scientific parties and divisions have had 
such experience. In order, therefore, that the inexperienced may profit by the knowl¬ 
edge of others, lists of articles and rations required in camp life have been prepared 
with great care, and, having been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, are 
promulgated for the guidance and use of camp parties. These lists comprise (1) a 
schedule of field supplies, including 46 articles; (^2) a schedule of field material, 
including 35 articles; and (3) a ration list, including 29 articles. 

Thus the chiefs of divisions and parties living in camp are subjected to certain spe¬ 
cial regulations relating to the acquisition of property required by their mode of life 
which do not apply under other circumstances; and by these regulations they are in 
a measure relieved of responsibility in making purchases, the Director assuming a 
limited responsibility in that the decision as to articles and amounts for the ration is 
made by him. But after such property is acquired, it is held and accounted for in 
accordance with the general principles and regulations of the custodial system. 

Careful account of rations is kept by each chief of party subsisting in camp, and a 
monthly statement of rations is submitted. The following is the form of this state¬ 
ment : 


RATION ACCOUNT. 

Statement of rations and parts of rations issued Held party under charge of J. C. Bussell 
during the month of June, 1887, employed in Alabama. 


Name. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

C 

7 

8 

9 to 27 

1 

28 29 

i 

30 

31 

Total 
each man. 

J. C. Russell.< 

No. of voucher or 
sub-voucher_ 















\ 

C. W. Hayes.< 

Ration issued. 

No. of voucher or 
sub-voucher_ 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 each 

1 

1 

1 

•• 


W. B. Lane.< 

Ration issued. 

No. of voucher or 
sub-voucher_ 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 each 

1 

1 

1 

-- 

30 

\ 

Thomas Perry.< 

Ration issued_ 

No. of voucher or 
sub-voucher_ 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 each 

1 

1 

1 


30 

i 

Ration issued. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 each 

1 

1 

1 

-- 

30 

Total. 







1 







120 








1 


• 






Note. —Where rations are consumed in camp, the day of the month on which they are used should 
he checked thus : /, opposite the name of each number of the party. When subsistence was ob¬ 
tained outside, the number of the voucher or subvoucher should be entered in the appropriate blank 

I hereby certify that the above is a correct statement, and that all rations consumed out of camp 

were actually necessary for the work of the U. S. Geological Survey. Camp disbanded-, 

188 —. 

(Signed) J. C. RUSSELL, 
Assistant Geologist, in charge of party. 

The Custodians of Property. 

Except in the case of the property clerk, it has not been found expedient to assign 
employes of the Survey to exclusive duty as custodians of property, and their duties 
as such are simply added to their duties as geologists, geographers, and topographers. 

The property clerk, who has general charge of the property in the possession of 
the Survey, is Mr. J. E. Allen. His work is performed under the supervision of the 
chief disbursing clerk. The other custodians of property, their iirincipal duties, the 














































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 421 

divisions and sections in whidi they are employed, and their headquarters are shown 
in the accompanying list: 

Custodians of propertu. 


Name. 

Position. 

Division or section. 

Headquarters. 

Bodflsh, S. H. 

Christie, P. H. 

Gilbert, G. K. 

Hague, Ai molcl. 

Hawkins, R. R.. 

Irving, R. D. 

Karl, Anton. 

Maher, J. A. 

Peale, Hr. A. C. 

Renshawe, J. H. 

Rogers, A. M . 

Taylor, A. O’D., Jr... 
Thompson, A. H._ 

Topographer. 

Topographer. 

Geologist. 

Geologist. 

Geologist. 

Geologist. 

Topographer . 

Topographer. 

Geologist. 

Topographer. 

Geologist. 

Geologist. 

Geographer. 

Northeastern Sec. Topog. 

Appalach. Sec. Topog. 

Appala<ih. Division Geol. 

Yellowstone P. Division Geol.. 

California Division Geol. 

Lake Superior Division Geol... 

Now Eng. Sec. Topog. 

Div. Geog. (general). 

Montana Division Geol. 

Central Sec. Topog. 

Rocky Mtn. Division Geol. 

Archean Division Geol. 

Western Sec. Topog. 

Not fixed. 

Washington. 

Washington. 

Mammoth H. Sp., Wyo. 
San Francisco, Cal. 
Madison, Wis. 

Not fixed. 

Washington. 

Bozeman, Mont. 

Not fixed. 

Denver, Colo. 

Newport, R. I. 

Not fixed. 


It should he noted that the principles set forth and the methods described in the 
preceding paragraphs are applied with little modification to the property of more 
special character acquired or produced by the Survey in the departments of docu¬ 
ments, library, museum, illustrations, stationery, &c.; and the officers in charge of 
the divisions under which the work of these departments is performed are virtually 
custodians of the x)roperty used in their divisions. 


THE MUSEUM SYSTEM. 

The Production of Museum Property. 

Although the building up of a museum is not a function of the Geological Survey, 
yet considerable collections of rocks, minerals, ores, fossils, &c., are made for pur¬ 
poses of necessary study in the prosecution of the work of the different divisions. Such 
materials are ultimately transferred to the United States National Museum, it being 
provided by law that all collections made for the Government of the United States, 
when no longer needed for investigations in progress, shall be deposited there. 

It should be observed that the collections made by institutions or individuals en¬ 
gaged in investigating the natural resources of a country are of unequal value. There 
are certain collections, embracing rare and beautiful minerals, the ores of the precious 
metals, &c., which possess intrinsic value and arc readily marketable ; and there are 
certain other materials, embracing well-preserved fossils, typical rocks, ores, miner¬ 
als, &c., for which there is a demand for educational and museum purposes. Of re¬ 
cent years museums, both independent and connected with educational and scientific 
institutions, have greatly multiplied; there is a constant demand for museum ma¬ 
terial ; and a trade in such material has sprung up. Thus there is a class of mu¬ 
seum material which has money value, and it is desirable that a definite system 
of preserving and accounting for such property shall be followed. But there is 
another class of material collected by the investigator, cornprising rocks, soils, some 
ores and minerals, and common or ill-preserved fossils, which have no money value, 
would be worthless in a museum, and are useful only in elaborating the field-notes of 
the geologist or paleontologist. It would manifestly be unwise to preserve such ma¬ 
terial in the National Museum, and it is accordingly destroyed. Since the collector 
is best able to judge of the value of his own collection, and will be very unlikely to 
underestimate it, provision is made for allowing each investigator to select from the 
material collected in the progress of his work that which shall be permanently pre¬ 
served. 













































422 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


The Acquisition, Custody, and Transfer of Collections 

The employ6s of the Survey are provided with printed label blanks, which are filled 
out and attached to specimens as collected in the field, and a field number is given to 
each specimen upon the label and in the note-book of the collector. The labels used 
are appended: 

FIELD LABELS. 


UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

Cascade Mountain collection. No. 9-30. 

Name: 

Basalt. 

Remarks: 

Probably recent. 

Locality: 

Crater Lake, Oregon. 

Collector: 

Dutton. 

Date: January 

Donor: E.Dut- 



1,1887. 

ton. 

Note book: 

“A.” 



Page: 

35,36. 




Field label. 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 

Notebook “B.” ] Date: January 1,1887. 

Page 30. I 

Locality: San Francisco Mt., Grand Canon-district, Arizona. 
Collector: E. M. Blank. 



Field label. 

U. S GEOLOGICAL SURVEY—APPALACHIAN DIVISION. 

No. 39. 

Date: January 1, 1887. 

Locality 

3 miles southwest of Warrenton, Va. 

Collector: J. B. "Wright. 


U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Division of the Rocky Mountains. 


State or Territory: Colorado. 

Coll. No. 91. 

County: Lake. 

Town or district: Leadville. 


Mine: “Dirty Devil.” 

Precise locality: 30 feet from pit of shaft ” A.” 

Local designation: Granite. 

Determined by 
Meade. 

Collected by Emmons, 1887. 


S. F. EMMONS, 
Geologist in charge. 









































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


423 


Field labels— Continueil. 


TJ. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 


Yellowstone Park sxirvey. 

Auxold Hague, geologist in charge. 

Field No., 33. 

Collected near Upper Geyser basin. 

Hate, October 10, 1887. 

N. B., 3 B. Page, 21-23. 

Collected by Shuster. 


Sometimes specimens are collected by persons not connected with the Survey, and 
are transmitted either as gifts, or with requests for identification or for more ex¬ 
tended intormation. When it is believed that the public interest will be subserved 
thereby, all such inquiries are answered as fully as seems to be desirable. If it is re¬ 
quested, the specimens are returned; but if no such request is made, they are either 
destroyed or, if of sufficient value, labeled by the collaborator by whom they are ex¬ 
amined, and thus become Survey property subject to the regulations controlling the 
collections made by its employes. 

The material collected by the specialists employed upon the Survey is of exceed¬ 
ingly diverse value and character; the specific purposes for which it is employed are 
also diverse; and it is therefore inexpedient to prescribe regulations for the use and 
disposition of the material so long as it remains in the hands of the collector. Fre¬ 
quently there is no record of the material produced by the collector, except in his own 
note books, lists, and catalogues, and he is not charged with it upon any of the gen¬ 
eral records of the Survey. If, however, the material iu the possesssion of an em- 
ployd has been acquired by gift through the Director, or has been transferred to him 
by another officer of the Survey for examination, a record of his acquisition of the 
property is contained in the correspondence files of the Survey, and he is held ac¬ 
countable for it. Moreover, when the collections are shipped at the expense of the 
Government they become subjects of record, and their custodians are accountable 
for them in a general way. 

There are three ways in which collectors dispose of their acquisitions: First, if the 
material is worthless except for immediate study, it is preserved as long as may be 
required for that purpose and is then destroyed. In this case there is no account of 
the production and disposition of the material except in the records of the collector, 
and in the transportation records if it has been shipped as public property . Second, 
if the material is of value for museum purposes, if it promises to be useful in subse¬ 
quent researches, or if for any other reason it is deemed wise to i^reserve it in the Na¬ 
tional Museum, it is transferred to that institution bvone of the two methods described 
in a subsequent paragraph ; and there is a record of such transfer both in the Geologi¬ 
cal Survey and in the National Museum. Third, if the maker of the collection is, for any 
reason, unable lo investigate the material iu the desired manner, it is transferred, 
through the Director, to some specialist, generally within but sometimes without the 
Survey, for the requisite examination; and the material thus becomes a subject of gen¬ 
eral record in the Survey. 

The person to whom material is transferred, either from collectors or from outside 
I)arties, disposes of it after investigation iu one of these ways ; but since there is a 
record of his custody of the material, greater caution is always exercised in disposing 
of it when so obtained than when it is obtained by collection. 

There are two modes of transferring material collected iu the progress of the work 
the'Survey to the National Museum: (1) Certain of the collaborators of the Survey 
are honorary curators of the National Museum, and have charge in the Museum of the 
classes of objects which, as members of the Survey, they are engaged in investigat¬ 
ing. When a collaborator has completed his investigation of a specimen or collec¬ 
tion, and has prepared, identified, and suitably labeled it, he formally translei*s it to 
the National Museum through the accessions clerk of that institution, and receives 
from him a Museum number which is inscribed upon the label or labels. The material 
then becomes the property of the Museum, and is arranged upon the shelves, or in the 
drawers provided for the purpose. To facilitate such tran.sfer, some ot these collab¬ 
orators keep iu their offices parts of the catalogue of the Museum, upon which there 
is a duplicate record of the transfer. The principal record of transfer is, however, 
that of the accessions clerk of the National Museum. (2) When a collaborator of the 
Surv'ey who is not a curator of the National Museum desires to transfer specimens or 
collections to that institution, they are prepared, labeled, and packed, a suitable list 
or catalogue is added, and the whole is transferred to the Museum by means of a foi- 









424 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


mal letter addressed to tlie,Director and by liira referred to the ofiScers of the Museum. 
Material so transferred is unpacked, entered into the Museum catalogue, numbered in 
the Museum series, and arranged for preservation or exhibition in the Museum in ac¬ 
cordance with the plans of that institution ; and the principal record of the transfer^ 
in which all such collections are credited to the Geological Survey, is kept bj’- the 
accessions clerk of the Museum. 

The following officers of the Survey are honorary curators of the National Museum: ■ 


Name. 

Function. 

Division. 

Museum Department. 

W. H. Dali .. - 

Paleontologist.. 

Cenozoio Division of Invertebrate 

IX. Mollusks. ■ '' . 

C. D. Walcott.. 

Paleontologist.. 

Paleontology. 

Paleozoic Division of Invertebrate 

Xn. A. Invertebrates. 

C. A. White ... 

Paleontologist.. 

Paleontology. 

Meso-Cenozoic Division of Inverte- 

XII. B. Invertebrate fossils. 

L. F. Ward.... 

Paleontologist.. 

brate Paleontology. 

Fossil Plants.^ 

XIII. A. Fossil plants. 

XIII. B. Kecent plants. 

F. W. Clarke.. 

Chemist. 

Chemistry and Physics. 

XIV. Minerals. 


The work of the Survey is greatly facilitated by the co-operation existing between 
it and the National Museum. 


THE ILLUSTRATION SYSTEM. 

The Uses of Illustrations. 

With the increase of human knowledge there has been a constant growth of litera¬ 
ture until its volume has become enormous. 

There is a distinction between what is known as pure literature and the literature 
of science. Pure literature deals with certain human emotions, passions, and quali¬ 
ties that are constant in character but not reducible to terms of exact knowledge. 
The subjects of pure literature may therefore be treated with limited antecedent 
knowledge on the part of the author as to the manner iu which the same or related 
subjects are treated by other authors; little progress is made in either the matter or 
manner of literary work during any generation or century; and the classics of pure 
literature are often as old as the language, even as old as written history. But iu 
scientific literature, which deals with subjects of exact knowledge, the writings of 
each period represent the existing sum of human knowledge concerning each of the 
subjects treated, and, combined, define the intellectual plane of the period, and form 
the basis for further progress. In science each investigator commences where his pre¬ 
decessor left otf, and the growth of scientific knowledge is thus a process of evolution 
commencing at fixed points, each determined by antecedent knowledge. So the classics 
in science are always modern, and the standard scientific treatises of past decades and 
generations have little more than historical value. 

The original investigator is therefore compelled to read a voluminous current liter¬ 
ature in order to keep abreast of current scientific thought. Keeping pace with the 
literature of his subject is indeed one of the heaviest burdens of the scientific student. 
It is from this cause more than anv other that the modern specialization of scientific 
work has become necessary. Moreover, the great cost of the publications which it is 
necessary for the investigator to consult, is an additional burden upon the scientific 
man and upon scientific institutions. Every device for diminishing the volume of 
scientific literature without reducing the sum of knowledge cdntained therein is 
therefore a boon to the student; and in the Geological Survey much thought has been 
given to plans for securing this end. 

^ One of the most satisfactory methods for diminishing the volume of scientific trea¬ 
tises on general or special subjects is that of substituting graphic representation for 
verbal statement. A map occupying a page not only represents information which 
it would require a score of pages of text to convey verbally, but conveys the infor¬ 
mation in a more complete and intelligible form; and a landscape sketch, in which 
the elements of the landscape are of geologic significance, and which may be printed 
on a single page, may tell eloquently what could be told verbally only in an entire 
chapter. So there is great economy to the reader in the use of graphic illustrations 
wherever practicable; and wnthin certain limits there is economy to the publisher in 
substituting graphic representation for verbal statement. 

The graphic representation of phenomena has another important advantage which 
is not often realized: in certain investigations involving study of the relatious of 
parts, graphic representation is essential to the comprehension of relation. In re- 














THE DEPARTMENT OF TRt INTERIOR. 


425 


gious of complex geologic structure, for example, the student may be unable to per- 
cieve the relations between different outcrops of similar deposits, and may bo unable 
to determine whether all represent a single stratum of irregular form or a number of 
distinct strata, until the observations are projected upon paper in both horizontal 
and vertical ])laiies. So the graphic method becomes an instrument of research as 
well as a means of reijresenting the results of research. 

The uses of photography have multiplied with the development of the art until 
they have become innumerable. Photography is employed in the Geological Survey 
in many ways. It is employed for the reproduction of landscapes for the use of both 
the geologist and the topographer, and of exposures of rocks for the geologist. The 
unique and instructive scenery of the inuuntains and plateaus of the West, the his¬ 
toric hills and valleys of the Appalachian region, and the peculiar features of the 
Mississippi Valley plains, are all successfully reproduced by means of photography. 
The comjdex and puzzling features of the glacial drift, and the structure of granites, 
limestones, ore-beds, &c., and the relations of the members in sections of displaced 
and convoluted beds in mountain regions, are all satisfactorily represented by the 
same process. 

Photography is also used largely in the preparation of drawings of fossil plants, 
animals, &c., by a method which has been devised within the Survey. The object is 
photographed upon specially prepared paper; ui^on the photograph a drawing is made 
in indelible ink, by an artist who has the object before him, in such a way as to rep- 
reseut the characteristics of the object in a more satisfactory manner than can be 
done by photography alone; and the photographic impression is then bleached out, 
leaving a drawing in ink which'can be readily and cheaply reproduced. 

Photography is also largely used in the Survey for the reproduction of maps. Cer¬ 
tain maps required for the use of the Survey are rare, and a single copy only is ob¬ 
tainable. This is cheaply multiplied by photography. The scales of maps required 
for use in the field, or as copy for the lithografiher in the preparation of illustrations 
for reports, are sometimes unsuitable; but by photography these maps are quickly 
feduced to the desired scale at small cost. The maps drawn in the geographic di¬ 
vision, and certain other drawings prepared in the office of the Survey, are elaborate 
and finely executed, and their loss or injury would be serious; and such maps or draw¬ 
ings are generally duplicated by photography. 

Classified by the general purposes for which they are used, the illustrations pro¬ 
duced by the Survey belong to two categories. The first embraces illustrations 
needed in the prosecution of Survey work, e.g., field sketches and photographs used 
in the preparation of topographic maps or in the prosecution of geologic studies, 
bleachable photographs of fossils and crystals, photographs of maps for working pur¬ 
poses, &c. The second category includes illustrations to be engraved for reports ou 
special subjects published by the Survey. Photographs and sketches are not pub¬ 
lished independently, nor distributed as publications of the Survey ; but in some cases 
such illustrations are exchanged with the correspondents of the Survey, just as min¬ 
erals, fossils, &c., are sometimes exchanged, and provision is made for keeping a 
record of such exchanges under the docunieut system. 

The Production, Custody, and Disposition of Illustrations. 

The illustrations produced by the Survey fall into five classes, viz: (1) maps, (2) 
field sketches, (3) field photographs, (4) photographs made in the office from object 
collected in the field, &c., and (5) finished drawings. 

(1) The maps prepared by the Survey comprise atlas sheets, which have been de¬ 
scribed in detail in the annual reports, and such special maps as are required from time 
to time for the illustrations of reports. The atlas sheets result from the operations 
of the geographic division. In general, each topographer is charged with the survey 
of a stated area during each field season, and with the construction of a map cover¬ 
ing that area during the succeeding office season. The topographers are thus their 
own draftsmen ; but it is sometimes expedient to assist the topographer in this part 
of his work, and for this reason a section of drafting has been establisheO in the geo- 
o-raphic division. In addition to such work as may be required upon the atlas sheets, 
the drafting of the special maps required for the reports is performed in tbis section. 

The manuscript atlas sheets are trausmitted from the topographic div’sion through 
the Director to the Public Printer for engraving under contract; the proofs are re¬ 
turned through the same channel, and are revised in the geographic division; and 
the proof-copies of the printed sheets required for the current use of the Survey are 
purchased and placed in charge of the division of geography. 

The assignment of a topographer for the survey of a gi veu territory is a matter of.rec- 
ord. By means of the custodial and stationery systems account is kept of all material 
that pasWs into his hands, aud when the manuscript map, which represents the outcome 
of his work, is completed, liis account may be balanced and the exact cost of the sur- 
vcy <iiid drawing coiiiput6d. The finished map is transferred to the chief geographer, 


426 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


and becomes a definite unit of property, of wbicli strict account is kept at every, 
stage, as drawings, proofs, and, finally, printed niai)S and engraved plates. More¬ 
over, each map b(;ars the name of the topographer who made the survey and executed 
or directed the drawing ; and thus the responsibility for the work as well as the ma¬ 
terial is definitely and permanently fixed. 

(2) Field sketches are made by the geologists and topographers of the Survey in 
the progress of their work. Like tho collections, they fall into two classes, the first 
of which is only of temporary use, and the second of permanent use ; and, as in the 
case of collections again, the disposition of field sketches is iletermined by their pro¬ 
ducer. The field sketches of the topographers arc used in the construction of the 
maps, but no further use is made of thetn and they do not become subjects of record 
except in the note books of the topographers. A large portion of the sketches made 
by the geologists in tho field are only of service in correlating observat ions and form¬ 
ing conceptions concerning the relation of the rockinasses and other geologic phe¬ 
nomena investigated, and no account is ke])t of such illustrations except in note 
books. I>ut a portion of the sketches made by the geologists in the field, as well as 
most of the drawings made by him in the office, are useful in illustrating the report 
upon his work, and all such sketches are so elaborated as to serve as copy for the 
engraver or lithogr-spher, either by tho geologist himself or by artists employed for 
that purpose in the illustrations division of the Survey. Such sketches become mat¬ 
ters of record when they are transferred to the illustrations division for reconstruc¬ 
tion or to the editorial division for transmission to the Public Printer for reproduc¬ 
tion. 

(3) Field photographs are generally taken either by the geologists or topographers 
themselves or by photographers in the regular emx)loy of the Survey ; but in cer tain 
special cases local irhotographcrs are emjrluyed in the field. Most of the geologic 
divisions of the Survey are provided wirh cameras, and most of the geologists have 
become skilled in their use and make their own negatives. This is advantageous 
when the field of work is remote and but a limited number of negatives is required ; 
but when the field is readily accessible and the number of negatives required is large, 
it is more economic to have tho work done by skilled irhotograxrhers emjjloyed reg¬ 
ularly for tho juirpose. 

The i)hotograi)hs taken by the Survey become public property, and record is kept 
both of the negatives and of the i>rints made therefrom. When photographs are 
made by local x)hotographers under sx)ecial contracts, however, the negatives may or 
may not become the ])roperty of the Government, according to tho terms of the con¬ 
tract ; but record is made of the prints as soon as they reach the illustrations or edi¬ 
torial division. A large proportion of the photogra|)h8 taken by geologists in the 
field and nearly all of those taken by the topographers are only of temxiorary use, 
and after they have served their purpose the negatives are destroyed. A smaller 
j)roportion are of xiermancnt value and are ultimately either worked up into finished 
drawings or reproduced directly by wood engraving or otherwise for the illustration 
of reports, the negative being preserved as long as necessary. 

(4) The chief purposes of the photographs made in the office have already been in¬ 
dicated. They are made upon requisition, countersigned by the chief clerk, or upon 
specific authorization of the Director ; and when delivered the receipt of the photo¬ 
graphs is acknowledged upon tho requisition blank by the person for whom they 
were made. A cop^’^ of this blank is attached: 

KEQUISITIOX FOB PHOTOGKAPIIS. 

No. 213.] Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Sup.vey, 

January 1. 1887. 

J. K. Hillers, Photographer: 

Please I'liroish to this office for Mr. Sample 3 prints of negative No. 90 (1886). 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

Heceived January 4, 1887. 

J. C. SAMPLE. 

There is thus a definite system of regulating and controlling this class of work in 
the photographic laboratory. The negatives are preserved whenever necessary. 

(5) There is a small corps of artists employed in the preparation of finished draw- 
ings designed for the illustration of reports. These drawings represent landscapes, 
rock exposures, geologic sections, various kinds of diagrams, crystalline and other 
mineral forms, microscopic slides, fossil remains of animals and plants, &c. They are 
constructed from field sketches and iihotographs, from data furnished by the authors 
of reports, or from the objects themselves. Their production is specifically authorized 
by the Director, either orally when they are prepared in advance of the completion 
of the rexiorts for publication, or through the editorial division when the rexiorts 



THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 427 

which they are designed to illustrate have been accepted for publication. A record 
of the fiiiKshed drawings produced is kept in the division of illustrations. 

The proofs of illustrations are revised, and the original drawings and duplicate 
proofs are preserved and recorded, in the illustrations division. 

The Beproduction of Illuatrations. 

The most delicate and important duty connected with the preparation of finished 
drawings for the illustration of reports is the selection of methods of reproduction ; 
for while in certain cases the most adv'antageons method may be evident, there are 
cases in which difiereut methods might be employed, and in which the question of 
cost becomes an important element in the selection. Certain general principles which 
have been set forth in previous publications govern the selection in some cases: e.g., 
lithography is never employed when it can be avoided, partly because lithographs are 
expensive both in reproduction and in printing and partly because it is not iiractica- 
ble to preserve them and duplicate the illustrations in different arrangements when 
necessity arises; and wood engravings and modern iihoto-process engravings, which 
are not open to these objections, are used as far as possible. But there are many cases 
in which lithography would x’roduce the best results, wood engraving somewhat in¬ 
ferior results, and photo-process engraving still less satisfactory results; and the 
question to be decided, therefore, involves the careful weighing of the antagonistic con¬ 
siderations of excellence and cheapness. ' The question is further complicated by the 
manner in which the contracts for reproduction are ordinarily made—the contract 
for lithography commonly including printing, while those for wood-process engraving- 
do not; and since it frequently happens that photographs or other subjects which 
might be reproduced direct on stone or wood must be redrawn in order that they may 
be reproduced by the photo-processes, the cost of drawing may have to be consid¬ 
ered also. 

Every effort is made to reduce the cost of illustrations for reports of the Survey to 
as low a figure as is consistent with a high standard of excellence, and it is accord¬ 
ingly necessary to exercise judgment as to the best methods of reproduction of 
illustrations in connection with nearly every publication issued by the Survey. It 
is believed that these efforts have been eminently successful, since the illustrations 
of the publications of the Geological Survey compare favorably with those of other 
scientific institutions, both domestic and foreign, while the cost of reproduction of 
such illustrations has been reduced fully 60 per cent, since the organization was 
established. 

The division of illustrations is in charge of Mr. W. H. Holmes, who employs a num¬ 
ber of assistants upon finished drawings and the proof-reading of engravings ; and 
the photographic laboratory belonging to the division is in charge of Mr. J. K. Hillers, 
who has four skilled assistants. This force does not include that employed in the 
section of topographic drawing in the division of geography. 

THE EDITORIAL SYSTEM. 

The Functions of the Editorial Division. 

As provided in the organic law of the Survey its publications consist of four 
classes, namely : (1) Annual reports, (2) monographs, (3) bulletins, and (4) statistical 
papers. These publications reach a considerable volume annually. During the fiscal 
year of 1886-^87 there were published two bound volumes in octavo, three in quarto, 
and thirteen unbound bulletins, aggregating 4,253 pages of text, illustrated by 350 

plates and 327 figures. , . . 

The labor involved in supervising so large an amount of publication, comprising the 
suitable preparation of manuscripts for the press and the careful and repeated proof¬ 
reading demanded by the highly technic character of the work, has necessitated the 
development of an editorial system. 

The jirincipal considerations borne in mind in the development of this system are 
the followino-: (1) Individuals engaged in researches involved in or collateral to the 
extension of'the geologic survey of the United States over the national domain should 
have facilities for publication of the results of their work equal to those afforded by 
the publishing houses or scientific institutions of this and other countries; (2) no matter 
should be published unless it be of sufficient value to warrant publication and ex¬ 
tended distribution ; (3) the publications of the Survey should be prepared, printed, 
and bound on a uniform and consistent plan for each of the classes established by 
law • (4) corrections and alterations should be made as far as practicable in the man¬ 
uscript rather than in the proof, proof corrections being expensive; and (5) the 
author who may be engaged in investigations or other important work of high grade, 
should’be relieved as far as practicable of the details of book-making, part of which 
can be satisfactorily performed by others whose time is of less value. 


428 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Under the second head, it may he remarked that it is to avoid the risk of burdening: 
the series of Survey publications with trivial matter, statements or theories of doubt¬ 
ful validity, and all writings whose value to the people of the country is not commen¬ 
surate with the cost of publication, that the papers oifered for publication by the 
Survey are so searchingly criticised by the Director and his collaborators in the man¬ 
ner hereinafter set forth. Moreover, should it appear necessary at any time, matter 
oifered to the Survey for publication, either by its own oOicers or by others, would be 
submitted to competent authorities outside of the institution for a statement as to its 
scientific value and an opinion as to the desirability of publishing it. 

The consideration referred to under the fifth head involves one of the fundamental 
principles of the policy of the Survey, i. e., the division of labor in such manner that 
each employ^ shall be assigned to those duties only which he can most advantageously 
and economically perform. In a simple organization employing few individuals this 
principle maj' be ignored without serious loss, but in a complex organization, per¬ 
forming various functions and employing a large number of individuals, differentia¬ 
tion of function is believed to be essential to the highest efficiency. 

So far as is practicable the advantages of literary criticism in advance of publica¬ 
tion are secured by the authors of the reports issued from time to time by the institu¬ 
tion. Moreover, by the employment of an editor, whose duty it is to assist the Director 
in exercising a general supervision over the publications of the Survey the latter, 
is enabled to make his supervision much closer and less general in character than it 
would otherwise be in view of the magnitude of the annual literary product. 

The Methods of Work. 

Nearly all the reports published by the Survey are prepared either by chiefs of di¬ 
visions or by assistants working under their direction. A few reports prejiared by 
geologists of the country not in the employ of the Survey are published ; but these 
relate to subjects upon which the Survey is engaged or contain information of value 
to the Survey which could not be so economically acquired in any other way. 

The reports prepared by chiefs of divisions are submitted to the Director for ap¬ 
proval, and are generally discussed at length by the author and Director, aud some¬ 
times by other officers of the Survey, before they are transferred to the editorial de¬ 
partment. Reports prepared by assistants are examined by chiefs of divisions, aud 
if approved by these officers are transmitted to the Director aud discussed in the same 
manner as the reports emanating from the chiefs themselves. Reports prepared 
either by geologists not connected with the Survey or by assistants whose chiefs are 
not specialists in the subjects treated, are transmitted to the Director and generally 
submitted by him to some member ormembers of the Survey especially familiar with 
the subject reported on, aud if the reports are approved by them they are submitted 
to the Director anew with either oral or written recommendation for publication. 
After approval by the Director, all manuscripts prepared for publication are trans¬ 
mitted to the editorial division with instructions as to the class of publications in 
which they are to appear. 

One of the principal functions of the editor is to maintain uniformity in the differ¬ 
ent classes of publications, aud to make such arrangements of and additions to the 
manuscript as may be required for that purpose. In the interests of convenience on 
the part of readers, it is desirable that books shall be properly arranged under chap¬ 
ters, sections, and lesser divisions, aud that all divisions shall be suitably indicated by 
means of titles. It is desirable also that a list of the chapters, sections, or other di¬ 
visions in each volume, so arranged as to give a logical view of the contents of the 
treatise, shall be introduced in the work. Moreover, the value of books to most users 
is greatly increased by the addition of an index. Accordingly complete lists of con¬ 
tents aud of illustrations and full indexes are appended to the publications of the 
Surv^ey. 

When a manuscript work reaches the editor, it is supplied with title-pages aud with 
lists of contents and illustrations, if these are needed. The manuscript is then crirically 
read, clerical errors are corrected, obviously necessary transpositions and other purely 
literary corrections are made, quotations and bibliographic references are verified 
and the latter are reduced to a uniform plan, aud references to illustrations are made 
or corrected. Where more important alterations appear to be required they are sug¬ 
gested to the author (and in some cases to the Director); aud if the number of altera¬ 
tions is large the manuscript is returned to the author for revision. In some cases 
this critical examination leads to the rejection of a paper. 

The manuscript is next “prepared” for the printer—the type, size, and style of 
headings, &c., are indicated, aud all necessary directions for printing are given. 
Meantime the illustrations are trajisferred to the division of illustrations for editino- 
for redrawing when required, and for such directions as to reproduction as may b^e 
deemed necessary. The manuscript aud illustrations are then transmitted to the Pub¬ 
lic Printer by the Director. 

Duplicate galley proofs are returned from the Government Printing Office to the 
editor; one set is first corrected by the manuscript aud then submitted to a critical 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


429 


reading similar to that given to the matter in manuscript, and the necessary correc- 
tions and changes are made; and the other set is transmitted to the author for his 
revision, and finally his corrections are transferred to the galley in the hands of the 
editor, which is then returned to the printing office. 

The page proof is in like manner conveyed to the editorial division and is there 
read and revised, and running titles and signature marks are added. In some cases 
the page proof is also sent to the author for revision. 

The second page revise,” as it is technically called, is also returned to the editor. 
An index is then prepared, or, if one has been prepared by the author, it is revised 
and corrected. After the second page revise has received the final corrections (in 
some cases a third or fourth revise is found necessary) it is transmitted to the office 
ot the Public Printer as approved, and passes out of the custody of the editorial 
division. 

While in the office of the Survey the copy and proofs are arranged in drawers for 
convenient reference, and a sot of each proof, both galley and page, is permanently 
preserved by the editor. Each page or galley of the proof-sheets is stamped in red 
ink on its receipt. Copies of the stamps are appended: 

PROOF STAMPS. 

First revise. 

Duplicate first revise. 

First page revise. 

Duplicate first page revise. 

Second page revise. 

Duplicate second page revise. 

Third page revise. 

Final page revise. 

Sent to author. 

Author’s marks transferred. 

Last corrections transferred. 

During the progress of a book through the press a record is kept of the transmission 
of all copy and proof to, and its receipt from, the Public Printer. Sample leaves of 
the book in which this record is kept are appended: 

editor’s account with public printer. 

Bulletin 42.—Bevort of work done in the division of chemistry and physics mainly during 
the fiscal year 1885-86, F. W. Clarke, chief chemist. 


Dr. public PBINTEE. Cr. 


Date. 

Manuscript 

pages. 

Galleys. 

1st revise. 

2d revise. 

Remarks. 

Date. 

Manuscript 

pages. 

Galleys. 

1st revise. 

2d revise. 

Remarks. 

1887. 
Mar. 16 
June 2 
JunelS 
June 23 

1-301 





1887. 
May 7 
May 7 
June 6 
June 22 

1-49 

50-143 

IG-IOG 

11G-34G 




1G-60G 






1-149 


1-48 

1-32 



1-149 










Proofs and manuscript are sent to the authors when necessary either by mail or ex¬ 
press ; and the author is notified of their transmission by means of a penalty-card, a 
copy of which is appended : 


NOTICE TO AUTHORS. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., January 1,1887. . 

Sir: I send you by mail to-day proof-sheets as follows: 


MS. pp. 1-100. 
1st R. pp. 17-32. 


Galleys 1 A-20 A. 
2d R. pp. 1-16. 


Please return at your earliest convenience. 


JAMES C. PILLING. 

Chief Clerk. 
































430 


THE DEPARTMENT OF TPIE INTERIOR. 


Oue of the first processes in the preparation of a hook for the press is the construc¬ 
tion or verification of the list of illustrations. This list is preserved by the editor 
until the illustrations are finally prepared for reproduction and transmitted to the 
Public Printer. The illustrations themselves are, however, transferred to the chief of 
the division of illustrations for reconstruction or for directions as to reproduction; and 
the transfer is noted by means of checks upon the list of illustrations, as is also the 
return of the finished drawings. 

Before the illustrations are transmitted to the Public Printer they are recorded in 
a book kept for the i)urpose, by name, ijublication number, and an arbitrary office 
number, assigned simply for the convenience of the clerk who keeps the record ; and 
the receipt of the proof from the engravers or lithographers, their return, and their 
final approval, are also recorded in the same book. Sample leaves of this record are 
appended: 

KECORD OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Fourth annual report of the U. S. Geological Survey —1882-’83. 


Date 

of 

receipt. 


1883. 

July 7 


From whom 
received. 


Henry Gannett... 
Capt. C. E. Dutton. 


What received 


Drawing, 
do. 


Title. 


Map ofU.S. show- 
areas survey e<l.. 
General map o f 
Hawaiian Arch¬ 
ipelago ..... 


Office No. 


Final No. 


17,001 PI. 
o 


I 

II 


Size. 


Douhlepl’t. 

do 


Reproduction. 


Action. 

Reproduced by— 

Date. 

To whom sent. 

Cbromo-litliof^raph.. 

1883. 

August 31 
October G 

Public Printer_ 

Julius Bien & Co. 

Photo-engraving. 

do. 

Photo-Engraving Co. 


First proof. 

Second proof. 

Approved 

by 

Director. 

Remarks. 

Received. 

Returned. 

Received. 

Returned. 

1883. 

5 1 

i N o V. 15 3 

1884. 

S 1 

\Feh. 12 j 

1883. 

November 17 

1884. 

February 13 

1883. 

3 Hr \ 

IDec. 17 3 

1883. 

December 17 

1883. 

December 17 

1884. 

February 1 3 

W-^iP Subject to one cor¬ 
rection. 


The proofs of illustrations are revised by the chief of the illustrations division, and 
by authors in accordance with his instructions; the proofs are stamped in the same 
manner as are the letter-press proof sheets; and the original drawings, together with 
duplicate proofs, are permanently preserved by the chief of the illustrations division. 

The editorial work of the Survey is in charge of Mr. Thomas Hampson, who has 
eight assistants; but the general correspondence of the office is also conducted in this 
division, and occupies most of the time of several of these assistants, and the work 
upon illustrations is performed in the illustrations division. 

THE DOCUMENT SYSTEM. 

The Publications of the Surrey. 

The annual reports of the Survey are issued in four editions. The first comprises 
the “usual number” of documents ordered by Congress, or 1,900 copies; the second 
is a special congressional edition of 3,000 copies, of which 1,000 are for the use of 
the Senate, and 2,000 for the use of the House; the third is an edition of 7.50 copies 














































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


431 


ordered by tlie Secretary oftbe Interior to accompany, and form volume 3 of, liis an¬ 
nual report; and tbo'tourtli is an edition of variable number pnblisbed under a joint 
resolution ot each (Jonj 2 ;ress, of which a part is designed for the use of the Senate and 
House ot Rei)resentatives, and a part tor the use of the Geological Survey. Of the 
second and third annual reports <5,500 copies each, and of the fourth and fifth annual 
reports 5,000 copies each were printed for the use of the Survey, and of the sixth and 
seventh 5,00'J copies each are authorized. 

The monographs, bulletins, and statistical papers are issued in two editions; the 
first comprising the “usual number” of documents ordered by Congress, and the 
second the edition of 3,000 copies provided by statute for sale and exchange through 
the Geological Survey, in accordance with the provisions of the law regulating its 
publications. Only the latter edition passes into the custody of this institution. 

Small special editions of each of the reports on mineral resources, and of two bulle¬ 
tins on subjects believed to be of wide interest, haYm also been printed for the use 
of the Survey by order of the Secretary of the Interior. 

The publications of the Survey are exhibited in the accompanying list: 


PUBLICATIONS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 


ANNUAL KEPORTS. 

I. First Aaaaal Report to the Hon. Carl Schurz, by Clarence Kiq;;. 1880. 8°. 79 pp. 1 map.—A. 
preliminary report describing plan of organization and publications. 

II. Report of the Direccor of the United States Geological Survey for 1880-81, by J. IF.Powell. 

1882. 8° Iv, 588 pp. 61i)l., Imap. 

III. Third Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1881-82, by J. W. Powell. 1883. 
8°. xviii, 5G4 pp. 67 pi. and maps. 

IV. Fourth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey, 1882-’83, by J. W. Powell. 1884. 
8°. xxxii, 473 pp. 85 pi. and maps. 

V. Fifth Annual Reportof the United States Geological Survey, 1883-’84, by J. W. Powell. 1885. 8°. 
xxxvi, 469 pp. 58 pi. and maps. 

The Sixth and Seventh Annual Reports are in press. 


MONOGRAPHS. 


II. Tertiary History of the Grand Canon District, with atlas, by Clarence E. Dutton, capt. U, S. A 

1882. 4^. xiv, 264 pp. 42 pi., and atlas of 24 sheets folio. Price $10.12. 

III. Geology of tlie Comstock Lode and the Washoe District, with atlas, by George F. Becker. 1882. 
4°. XV, 422 pp. 7 pi., and atlas of 21 sheets folio. Price $11. 

IV. Com.stock Mining and Miners, by Eliot Lord. 1883. 4°. xiv, 451 pp. 3 pi. Price $1.50. 

V. Copper-bearing Rocks of Lake Superior, by Roland D. Irving. 1883. 4°. xvi, 464 pp. 151. 29 

pi. Price $1.85 

VI. Contributions to the Knowledge of the Older Mesozoic Flora of Virginia, by Wm. M. Fontaine. 

1883. 4°. xi, 144 pp. 54 1. 54 pi. Price $1.05. 

VII Silver-lead deposits of Eureka, Nev., by Joseph S. Curtis. 1884. 4°. xiii, 200 pp. 16 pi. 
Price $1.20 

VIII. Paleontology of the Eureka District, by Charles D. Walcott. 1884. 4°. xiii, 298 pp. 24 1. 
24 pi. Price $1.10. 

IX. Brachiopoda and Lamellibranchiata of the Raritan Clays and Greensand Marls of New Jersey, 

by Robert P. Whitfield. 1885 4°. xx. 338 pp. 35 pi. Price $1.15. 

X. Dinocerata. A Monograph of an Extinct Order of Gigantic Mammals, by Othniel Charles Marsh. 
1885. 4°. xviii, 243 pp. 56 1. 56 pi. Price $2.70. 

XI. Geological History of Lake Lahontan, a Quaternary Lake of Northwestern Nevada, by Israel 
• Cook Russell. 1885. 4°. xiv, 288 pp. 46 pi. Price $1.75. 

The following is in press, viz: 

XII. Geology and Mining Industry of Leadville, with atlas, by S. F. Emmons. 1886. 4°. xxix, 
770 pp. 45 pi., and atlas of 35 sheets folio. 

The following are in preparation, viz: 

—Gasteropoda of the New Jersey Cretaceous and Eocene Marls, by R. P. Whitfield. 

—Geology of the Eureka Mining District, Nevada, with atlas, by Arnold Hague. 

—Lake Bonneville, by G. K. Gilbert. 

—Sauropoda, by Prof. O. C. Marsh. 

—Stegosaui ia, by Prof. O. C. Marsh. 

—Bi ontotheridao, by Prof. O. C. Marsh. 

_Geology of the Quicksilver Deposits of the Pacific Slope, with atlas, by George F. Becker. 

_The Pe'nokee-Gogebic Iron-Bearing Series of North Wisconsin and Michigan, by Roland D. Irving. 

—Younger Mesozoic Fiona of Virginia, by William M. Fontaine. 

—Description of new Fossil Plants from the Dakota Group, by Leo Lesquereux. 

-Report on the Denver Coal Basin, by S. F. Emmons. 

—Report on Ten-Mile iSlining District, Colorado, by S. F. Emmons. 

-Report on Silver Clitf Mining District, by S. F. Emmons. 

—Flora of the Dakota Group, by J. S. Is ewberry. 


BULLETINS. 

1 On Hypersthene-Andesite and on Triclinio Pyroxene in Augitic Rocks, by Whitman Cross, with a 
Geological Sketch of Buffalo Peaks, Colorado, by S. F. Emmons. 1883. 8°. 42 pp. 2 pi. Price 10 
cents. 


432 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


2 Gold and Silver Conversion Tables, givinof the coinage values of troy ounces of fine metal, &c., 
by Albert Williams, jr. 1883. 8°. 8 pp. Price 5 cents. , 

3. On the Fossil Faunas of the Upper Devonian along the meridian ot 76^ 30', Irora Tompkins 
County, New York, to Bradford County, Pennsylvania, by Henry S. Williams. 1884. 8°. 36 pp. Price 

° 4. On Me.sozoic Fossils, by Charles A. White. 1884. 8^. 36 pp. Price 5 cents. 

5. A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States, compiled by Henry Gannett. 1884. 8°. 325 pp. 

Price 20 cents. r • - 

6. Elevations in the Dominion of Canada, by J. W. Spencer. 1884. 8°. 43 pp. Price o cent.s. 

7. Hapoteca Geologica Amei icaua. A catalogue of Geological Maps of America (North and South), 

1752-1881, b v Jules Marcou and John Belknap Marcou. 1884. 8°, 184 pp. Price 10 cents. 

8. On Secondary Enlargements of Minei’al Fragments in Certain Bocks, by K. D. Irving and C. K. 

Van Hise. 1884. 8°. 56 pp. Price 10 cents. ^ , 

9. Report of work done in the Washington Laboratory during the fiscal year 1883- 84. F. W. Clarke, 
chief chemi.it; T. M. Chatard, a.ssistaut. 1884. 8°. 40 pp. Price 5 cents. 

10. On the Cambrian Faunas of North America. Preliminary studies, by Charles D. Walcott. 1884. 

8°. 74 pp. 10 pi. Price 5 cents. .... „ 

11. Orr the Qua ternary and Recent Mollusca of the Great Basin, with descriptions of new forms, b.y R. 
Ellsworth Call; introduced by a sketch of the Quaternary Lakes of the Great Basin, by G. K Gilbert. 

1884. 8°. 66 lip. 6 pi. Price 5 cents. 

12. A Crystallographic Study of the Thinolite of Lake Lahoutan, by Edward S. Dana. 1884. 8°. 
34 pp. 3 pi. Price 5 cents. 

13. Boundaries of the United States and of the sevmral States and Territorie.s, by Henry Gannett. 

1885. 8°. 135 pp. Price 10 cents. 

14. The Electrical and Magnetic Pioperties of the Iron-Carburets, by Carl Barus and Vincent 

Strouhal. 1885. 8°. 238 pp. Price 15 cents. _ _ . 

15. On the Mesozoic arrd Oeuozoic Paleontology of California, by Charles A. White. 1885. 8°. 33 pp. 
Price 5 cents 

16. On the higher Devonian Faunas of Ontario County, Ncav York, by John M. Clarke. 1885. 8°. 
86 pp. 3 pi. Price 5 cents. 

17. On 4 he Development of Crystallization in the Igneous Rocks of Washoe, Nevada, by Arnold Hague 
and Joseph P. Iddings. 1885. 8°. 44 pp Price 5 cents. 

18. On Marine Eocene. Fresh-water Miocene, and other Fo.ssil Mollusca of Western North America, 
by Charles A. White. 1885. 8^. 26 pp. 3 pi. Price 5 cents. 

19. Notes on the Stratigraphy of California, by George F. Becker. 1885. 8°. 28 pp. Price 5 cents, 
20 Contributions to the Mineralogy of the Rocky Mouutaiu.s, by Whitman Cro.ss and W. F. Hille- 

brand. 1885. 8°. 114 pp. i pi. Price 10 cents. 

21. The Lignites of the Great Sioux Reservation, by Bailey Willis. 1885. 8°. 16 pp. 5 pi. Price 
5 cents. 

22. On New Cretaceous Fossils from California, by Charles A. White. 1885. 8°. 25 pp. 5 pi. Price 
5 cents. 

23. Observations on the junction between the Eastern Sandstone and the Keweenaw Series on Ke¬ 
weenaw Point, Lake Superior, by R. D. Irving and T. C. Chamberlin. 1885. 8°. 124 pp. 17 pi. Price 

1.5 cents. 

24. List of Marine Mollusca, comprising the Quaternary Fossils and recent forms from American 
localities between Cape Ilatteras and Cape Roque, including the Bermudas, by William 11. Dali. 1885. 
8°. 336 pp. Price 25 cents. 

25. The Present Technical Condition of the Steel Industry of the United States, by Phiueas Barnes. 

1885. 8°. 85 pp. Price 10 cents. 

26. Copper Smelting, by Henry M. Howe. 1885. 8°. 107 pp. Price 10 cents. 

27. Report of work done in the Division of Chemistry and Physics mainly during the fiscal year 
1884-’85. 1886. 8°. 80 pp. Price 10 cents. 

28. The Gabbros and Associated Hornblende Rocks occurring in the neighborhood of Baltimore, 
Md., bv George H. Williams. 1886. 8°. 78 pp. 4 pi. Price 10 cents. 

29. On the S'resh-water Invertebrates of the North American Jurassic, by Charles A. White. 1886, 
8°. 41 pp. 4 pi. Price 5 cents. 

30. Second contribution to the studies on the Cambrian Faunas of North America, by Ch rles D. 
Walcott. 1886. 8°. 369 pp. 33 pi. Price 25 cents, 

31. A systematic review of onrpresent knowledge of Fossil Insects, including Myriapods and Arach¬ 
nids, by Samuel H. Scudder, 1886. 8° 128 pp. Price 15 cents. 

32. Mineral Springs of the United States, by Albert C. Peale. 1880. 8°. 235 pp. Price 20 cents. 

33. Notes on the Geology of Northern C lifornia, by Joseph S. Diller. 1886. 8^. 23 pp. Price 5* 
cents. 

34. On the relation of the L >ramie Molluscan Fauna to that of the succeeding Fresh-water Eocene 
and other groups, by Chai les A. White. 1886. 8°. .54 pp. 5 pi. Price 10 cent.s. 

35. The Physical Properties of the Iron-Carburets, by Carl B.irus and Vincent Strouhal. 1886. 8°. 
62 pp. Price 10 cents. 

Numbers 1 to (i of the Bulletins form Volume I; Numbers 7 to 14, Volume IT; Numbers 15 to 23, 
Volume III: and Numbers 24 to 30, Volume IV. Volume V is not yet complete. 

The following are in pre.ss, viz: 

36. The Subsidence of small particles of Insoluble Solid in Liquid, by Carl Barus. 

37. Types of the Laramie Flora, by Lester F. Ward. 

38. Peridotito of Elliott County, Kentucky, by Jo.seph S. Diller. 

39. The Upper Beaches and Deltas of the Glacial Lake Agassiz, by Warren Upham. 

In preparation: 

40. Geologic notes in Northern Wa.shington Territory, by Bailey Willis. 

41. Fossil Faunas of the Upper Devonian—the Goi?esee Section, by Henry S. Williams. 

42. Report of work done in the Division of Chemistry and Physics, mainly during the fiscal year 
]885-’86. F. W. Clark, chief chemist. 

43. On the Tertiary and Cretaceous Strata of the Tuscaloosa, Tombigbee, and Alabama Rivers, by 
Eugene A. Smith and Lawrence C. Johnson. 

44. Historic statement respecting Geologic Work in Texas, by R- T, Hill. 

45. The nature and origin of Deposits of Phosphate of Lime, by R. A. F. Penrose, jr. 

46. Bibliography of North American Crustacea, by A. W. Vogiles. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


433 


STATISTICAL PAPERS. 

Mineral Resources of the United States [1882], by Albert Williams, jr, 1883. 8°. xvii, 813 pp. 
Price 50 cents. 

Mineral Resources of tbe United States, 1883 and 1884, by Albert Williams, jr. 1885. 8°. xiv, 1016 
pp. Price 60 cents. 

In press; ' 

Mineral Resources of tbe United States for tbe Calendar Year 1885. 

lu tlie accompanyiug tables tbe publications which have passed into the custody of 
the Survey are enumerated, and the size of edition, the cost per copy as determined 
by the Public Printer (except in the case of annual reports, the cost of which is esti¬ 
mated), the aggregate number of volumes, and the total cost, are also exhibited. 
From these tables it will be seen that under the present directorship of the Survey 
there have been issued live annual reports, ten monographs, thirty-nine bulletins, 
and three volumes of mineral resources; in all, fifty-seven distinct publications, in 
editions ranging from 2,500 to 5,000. It will also be seen that the aggregate value of 
the property in the form of publications for which the Survey has incurred responsi¬ 
bility during the last five years is no less than $159,390. 


Annual Reports U. S. Geological Survey. 


Name. 

Edition. 

Estimated 

cost. 

Total 

cost. 

SftcoTid________........ 

2, 500 

2, 500 

5, 000 

5, 000 

5, 000 

■ $2 Oo| 

J [ 

$5, 000 
5, 000 
10, 000 
10, 000 
10, 000 

Third. 

Fourth...... 

Fifth. 


Total________......_....... 

20, 000 


40, 000 




Monographs of the U. S. Geological Survey. 


Name. 

Edition. 

Price per 
copy. 

Total 

cost. 

(II) Tertiary History of the Grand Canon District, by C. E. Dutton. 
(Ill) Geology of the Clomstock Lode and Washoe District, by George 

E _ _ _______............ 

3,000 

3,000 

3. 000 
3, 000 
3, 000 
3. 01)0 

3, 000 

3, 000 

3, 000 

3, 000 

$10 12 

11 00 

1 50 

1 85 

1 05 

1 20 

1 10 

1 15 

2 70 

1 75 

$30,3G0 00 

33, 000 00 

4, .500 00 

5, 550 00 
3, 150 00 
3, 600 00 
3, 300 00 

3,450 00 

8,130 00 

5, 250 00 

(IV) History of Comstock Lode, by Eliot Lord'. 

(V) Copper-bearing Rocks of Lake Superior, by R. D. Irving. 

(VI) (ilder Mesozoic Flora of Virginia, by W. M. b'ontaine. 

(VII) Silver-Lead Deposit of Eureka, Nev., by J. S. Curtis . 

(VIII) Paleontology of the Eureka District, by Charles D. Walcott-.. 
(IX) Brachiopoda and Lamellibranchiata of the Raritan Clays aud 

Greensand Marls of New Jersey, by Robert P. Whitiield- 

(X) Dinocerata; aMonograph of an extinct order of Gigantic Mam¬ 
mals, by Othniel Charles Marsh. 

(XI) Geological HivStory of Lake Lahoutan, a Quaternary Lake of 
Northwestern Nevada, by Israel Cook Russell. 

T'otfil ___-_ 

30, 000 


100,290 00 




4402 INT- 28 







































434 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


Bulletins of the U. S. Geological Survey. 


Name. 


(1) Hypersthene-Andesite and Triclinic Pyroxene in Augitic Rocks, 

by C. Whitman Cross. 

(2) Gold and Silver Conversion Tables, by A. Williams, jr.I 

(3) Fossil Faunas of Upper Devonian, &c., by H. S. Williams.I 

(4) On Mesozoic Fossils, by Dr. C. A. White.| 

(5) Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States, by Henry Gannett... 

(6) Elevations in the Dominion of Canada, by J. W. Spencer. 

(7) Mapoteca Geologica Americana, by Jules and J. B. Marcou . 

(8) Secondary Enlargements of Mineral Fragments in Certain Rocks, 

by Irving & Van Hise. 

(9) Report of Laboratory Work, by Clarke &Chatard. 

(10) Cambrian Faunas of I^orth America, by C. D. Walcott. 

(11) Quaternary and Recent Mollusca of the Great Basin, by R. E. Call.' 

(12) Crystallographic Study of the Thinolite of Lake Lahontan, by E. 

S. Dana . 

(13) Boundaries of the United States and of the States and Territo¬ 

ries, by Henry Gannett. . 

(14) Electrical and Magnetic Properties of the Iron Carburets, by ' 

Barus <fc Strouhal. 

(15) Mesozoic and Cenozoic Paleontology of California, by Dr. C. A. 

White... 

(16) Higher Devonian Faunas of Ontario County, New York, by J. M. 

Clarke . 

(17) The Development of Crystallization in the Igneous Rocks of 

Washoe, by Hague & Iddings. .. 

(18) Marine Eocene, Fresh-water Miocene, and other Fossil Mollusca, 

by C. A. White. 

(19) Notes on Stratigraphy of California, by G. F. Becker. 

(20) Contributions to the Mineralogy of the Rocky Mountains, by 

Cross &Hillebrand. 

(21) Lignites of the Great Sioux Reservation, Dakota, by Bailey Willis . 

(22) New Cretaceous Fossils from California, by Dr. C. A. White. 

(23) Junction between the Eastern Sandstone and the Keweenaw Se¬ 

ries, by Irving & Chamberlin. 

(24) List of Marine Mollusca, by W. H. Dali. 

F25) The Present Technical Condition of the Steel Industry of the 

United States, by Phineas Barnes. 

(26) Copper Smelting, by Henry Howe. 

(27) Report of work done in the Division of Chemistry and Physics, 

mainly during the fiscal year l884-’85. 

(28) The Gabbros and Associated Hornblende Rock, occurring in the 

neighborhood of Baltimore, Md., by George H. Williams. 

(29) On the Fresh-water Invertebrates of the North American Jurassic, 

by Charles A. White.:. 

(30) Second Contribution to the Studies on the Cambrian Faunas of 

North America, by Charles D. Walcott. 

(31) A Systematic Review of our Present Knowledge of Fossil Insects, 

including Myriapods and Arachnids, by Samuel H. Scudder. 

(32) Mineral Springs of the United States, by Albert C. Peale. 

(33) Notes on the (Seology of Northern California, by Joseph S. Diller. 

(34) On the Relation of the Laramie Molluscan Fauna to that of the 

succeeding Fresh-water Eocene and other Groups, by Charles 
A. White. 

(35) The Physical Properties of the Iron Carburets, by Carl Barus and 

Vincent Strouhal. 

(36) Subsidence of Fine Solid Particles in Liquids, by Carl Barus. 

(37) Types of the Laramie Flora, by Lester F. Ward. 

(38) Peridotite of Elliot County, Kentucky, by Josepn S. Diller.... 

(39) The Upper Beaches and Diltas of the Glacial Lake Agassiz, by 

Warren Upham.*. 

Total. 


Edition. 

Price per 
copy. 

Total 

cost. 

3, 000 

$0 10 

$300 00 

3,000 

05 

1.50 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

20 

600 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

05 

1.50 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3,000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

15 

450 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

15 

450 00 

3, 000 

25 

750 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

(J5 

150 00 

3, 000 

25 

750 00 

3. 000 

15 

450 00 

3, 000 

20 

600 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

3, 000 

25 

750 00 

3, 000 

05 

150 00 

3, 000 

10 

300 00 

117, 000 


11,400 00 


Statistical Papers, 

t 


Name. 

Edition. 

Price per 
copy. 

Total 

cost. 


3,000 
3,000 
3, 000 

$0 50 
60 
40 

$1,500 00 
1, 800 00 
1, 200 00 

Second. 

Third. 

Total. 

9, 000 


4, 500 00 

















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


435 


Sjyecial editions of Siatisiical Papers and Bulletins. 


Name. 

Edition. 

Price. 

Total 

cost. 

Mineral Keaources of the United States (1882), by Albert Williams, jr_ 

Mineral Resources of the United States (1883 and 1884), by Albert Will¬ 
iams, jr.. 

2, 000 

2, 000 

2, 000 

500 

500 

.$0 50 

60 

4u 

20 

20 

$1, 000 00 

1, 200 00 

800 00 

100 00 
100 00 

Mineral Resources of the United States (1885), Division of Mining Statis¬ 
tics and Technology. 

Bulletin: A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States, compiled by 
Henry Gannett. 

Bulletin : Mineral Springs of the United States, by Albert C. Peale. 

Total.. 

7, 000 


3, 200 00 




KECAPITULATION. 


- Series. 

Aggregate 
number 
of volumes. 

Aggregate 

cost. 

A TiTina.l "Rpiporta________ 

20, 000 
30,000 
117, 0t)0 
9,000 
7,000 

$40, 000 
100, 290 
11,400 
4, 500 
3, 200 

AT on npraph a_____...__ 

Bnllftt.ina________ 

Statistical Papers......... 

Spocial ftflitiona______........................_ 

Total ______________ 

183, 000 

159, 390 



By reason of tRe great responsibility thus incurred by the Geological Survey, it has 
been deemed necessary to develop a comprehensive yet simple method of regulating 
the custody of this property and of accounting for it in accordance with the princi¬ 
ples of the custodial system already explained. 


The Principles Recognized in the Document System. 

Among the considerations upon which the document system has been founded are 
the following : (1) All matter published by the Survey shall be issued in sufficiently 
large editions to meet present requirements and to remain accessible to all important 
libraries and to students interested in the subjects treated for a considerable term of 
years; (2) the method of distribution shall be such as to insure the reception of the 
publications by public libraries, scientific and educational institutions, and individ¬ 
uals engaged in special investigations of related subjects; and (3) the cost of publi¬ 
cation shall be reduced to a minimum. 

(1) The question as to the size of the editions of Survey publications required to 
meet the wants of the people has been carefully considered by the framers of the 
law controlling their disposition; and the edition decided upon appears adequate to 
meet all demands, at least for the present. 

(2) It should be borne in mind that the best method of distributing the publica¬ 
tions of the Government depends upon their character; for the method which is best 
for one class of publications may not be the best for another class. 

A laro^e proportion of the publications of the Government are of general interest to 
the people, and it is desirable that they shall be widely and promptly distributed; 
and a method of distributing such publications gratuitously, through Congress 
and through certain Departments, has been adopted and' has been found by 
experience to be at least measurably satisfactory. But with governmental endow¬ 
ment of special research in different lines—in anthropology and ethnology, in 
geography and geology, in geodesy, in the condition and changes of the coast, in 
sauRation and public health, in the various branches of zoology, in fiEh and lisheries, 
in agriculture, in chemistry, in entomology, in climate and weather prognostication, 
in veternary science and the health of animals, in astronomy, &c.—there has grown 
up a special class of publications which, while of great value and, combined, of 
interest to all classes of people, are each of interest to only a limited number of 
the people of the country; and it has been found by experience that the ordinary 






























436 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


regulations for the distribution of public documents are unsatisfactory for these 
special publications. In the first place, while the officers intrusted with the dis¬ 
tribution of documents may be supplied with the addresses of the recipients of 
public documeutst generally hroughout the country, and may be able to extend their 
lists by means of applications and recommendations, they have not the addresses of 
the special students of the country to whom the documents would bo of the greatest 
value; and, accordingly, students frequently fail not only to receive, but even to learn 
of the existence of such documents. Again, excessive editions of special reports are 
sometimes published, and the surplus remaining in the document rooms of Congress 
and of the governmental Dej)artmeuts becomes a burden ; and scandal has resulted 
from the means adopted for the relief of this burden, and unwarranted reflections 
have thereby been cast upon the special publications of the Government. On the 
other hand, the editions published have in some cases been too small, and therefore 
inadequate to supply the needs of the libraries, the scientific and educational insti¬ 
tutions, and the students of the country ; the documents have consequently come to 
command high prices in second hand book-stores; and an undue burden is tliereby 
imposed upon the individuals and institutions to whom the publications are neces¬ 
sary. So in various ways the general and gratuitous distribution of the special 
reports of the Government has been found by experience to be unsatisfactory. 

It should be borne in mind, too, that the special publications of any Government 
are of interest not only to the citizens of that Government, but also to those of other 
nations. Science is cosmopolitan ; and in order that the best i)rogress shall be made, 
and that each country shall enjoy the benefits resulting from scientific investigations 
in other countries, it is necessary that there shall be international circulation of dopu- 
ments in which the result of research are recorded. The publications of the leading 
scientific, literary, and educational institutions and individuals of Europe, Asia, and 
Australasia, whether issued under governmental auspices or not, are in the leading- 
public libraries and in many of the private libraries of this country, and constant 
use is made of them by the agents of the Government employed in special investiga¬ 
tions; international associations and congresses of astronomers, geographers, and 
geologists, and of members of medical and other professions have been organized dur* 
iug recent years, and much benefit has resulted therefrom to American participants ; 
audit is eminently desirable, in the interest of international comity and harmony as 
well as of scieutihc progress, that the special publications of this country relating to 
subjects of common interest throughout the globe shall be properly distributed 
abroad. Much thought has consequently been devoted to the development of a sys¬ 
tem of international exchanges which shall permit of the prompt distribution of the 
publications of the Survey among the leading foreigu institutions of learning, and 
which shall secure from these institutions such of their publications as are useful 
to the Geological Survey. 

The objections to the plan of general gratuitous distribution of documents embody¬ 
ing the results of special researches appear to be wisely met in the law regulatino- 
the disposition of the publications of the Geological Survey by sale and exchan 
and the legislation upon this subject is therefore welcomed by tire people of the coun¬ 
try who are interested in the progress of research. 

(3) Economy in publication is secured in the Geological Survey (1) by reducing the 
cost of editorial work and printing to a minimum, (2) by substituting graphic illus¬ 
trations for verbal statement whenever practicable, and\3) by diminishing the cost 
of illustrations as far as is consistent with excellence, as has been set forth in preced- 
ing pages. 


The Custody of Documents and the Mode of DistrihuHon. 

The custody of the documents distributed through the Survey is vested in the libra¬ 
rian. They fall into three classes, in which responsibility is incurred differently viz : 
First, the regular editions of the monographs, bulletins, and statistical papers’ pro¬ 
vided for by law, and that part of the edition of the annual reports provided for in 
joint resolution which is specifically designed for the use of the Survey; second cer¬ 
tain small special editions of some of the publications of the Survey which are printed 
under the authority of the Secretary of the Interior for gratuitous distribution • and 
third, the small number of photographs used for purposes of exchange. ’ ’ 

The first of these classes of documents is transferred to the office of the Survey 
from the Government Printing Office in lots, each acccmipauied by a receipt filled 
out with the name of publication, the style of binding, and the number of volumes • 
and after verification of the entries, this receipt is signed by the librarian and a 
record of the transaction is made in a book kept for the purpose. Specimen entries 
in this book are appended : - 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


437 


RECORD OF DOCUMENTS. 


Monograph IX .— Whitfield. 


1886. 
May 17 
17 

Received from Public Printer... 

384 

.do... 

185 

17 

.do. 

200 

18 

.do. 

250 

18 

.do. 

240 

18 

.do... 

175 

19 

.do. 

270 

19 

.do. 

270 

20 

......do. . 

270 

20 

.do.-...-.. 

270 

21 

.do............ 

270 

21 

.do.-.-...... 

96 

27 

.do... 

39 



The publications of the*second class are received in a similar manner from the docu¬ 
ment clerk of the Interior Department, and a similar record of the transaction is made, 
the receipt for each lot being returned to the Interior Department. 

The photographs are printed in the laboratory of the Survey upon requisition of 
th^ librarian, countersigned by the chief clerk, and are receipted for by the librarian 
upon delivery. The following form is used: 


REQUISITION FOR PHOTOGRAPHS. 


Chas. C. Darwin.] 


J. K. Hillers, Photographer: 


[No. 3. 

Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. O., Skp. Isi, 1887. 


Please furnisli this office with the following : 


Photographs. 

Transparencies. 

99 V *>4 . 

8 X 10. 

30 X 34. 

11 X 14. 

17 TT 99 . 

.^■JT 8 __ 

20 X 24.... 

8 X 10. 

14 V 17 . 

4 X 6. 

17 X 20. 

5 X 8. 

11 X 14, 1 doz. panels. 


14 X 17...... 



JAMES C. PILLING. 

Chief Clerk. 


Classified by the method of distribution, the documents are (1) those disposed of 
only by sale or exchange, including the monographs, bulletins, and statistical papers; 
(2) those disposed of either by regular exchange or gratuitious distributiou, includ¬ 
ing annual reports and the small special editions of statistical papers and bulletins 
already mentioned; and (3) those disposed of by special exchange or distribution, 
including part of the annual reports, the special editious, and photographs, &c.; and 
the methods of accounting for the three categories are different. 

1. A ledger account is opened with each of the first of these categories of documents, 
in which the librarian is charged with the various lots received from the Government 
Printer and credited with the sales and exchanges as made. This ledger account thus 
shows the status of the edition of each document at any time. It is balanced quar¬ 
terly, and an account of the sales, with the receipts therefrom, is transmitted to the 
United States Treasury through the disbursing officer. A copy of the Treasurer’s re¬ 
ceipt for the moneys derived from the sale of the publications, covered into the United 
States Treasury each quarter, is filled with the ledger account. A sample leaf of this 
ledger is appended: 


Received Sep. 10th, 1887. 

Chas. C. Darwin, 

Librarian. 























































438 


THE DEPARTMEJ^T OF THE INTERIOR. 


DOCUMENT LEDGER. 


Mineral resources, 1885. Price, 40 cents. 




3,000 

131 

1887. 

0/4 


1 

04 . 



1 

01 



1 

24 

91 



2 



2 

01 



1 

25 

9 =¥ 



1 



1 

25 



1 





ForwflTd. - _ 

3,000 

142 





The methods pursued in the making and recording of sales, and in the making and 
recording of exchanges, differ somewhat. When sales are made, the orders and remit¬ 
tances are immediately entered in a day-book, of which a sample leaf is appended : 


DAY-BOOK. 



59 

35 


•60 

"P, \f TTpIa P-hiraxm _____ _...._............................. 


20 

A Perry Pontiac Mich IX X XI 27, 29,30,31,32,33, 34, 35. 

8 

75 


30 


. 1 

05 

Jan. 22: 

Pf \y’ 2151 _______.... 


20 

F A Hill Phila*! 2d M. R ...'. 


60 

W rj- P.rnwTi TiftTringtoTi Va., 2/1 AT. R.________...... 


80 

W R Riliino-s Ottawa 4 11,16.18,29,30, 31. 


65 

M r!r»rfsmn,n Paris FraTioe, (for O. ATyfir)| 24______ 


25 

Jan. 24: 

AT F P.irliar/lann T,p,hnTiOTi, N". TT.| 226 AT. R______ 

1 

20 

n .T R*.Tnn/xs T.nnisvillo, Ry., V, RT, 5,10.11,16_______ 

3 

25 

A. W. FoVliarOt, Ol/^velan/l, Oh., 1 an/1 AT. R_____ 


60 




77 

80 


When the document is transmitted, the account, with the full address of the pur¬ 
chaser, is transferred to the ledger; and the entire correspondence, including the 
acknowledgment of receipt, is preserved. There is thus a trijde record of the trans¬ 
action, first in the day-book, second in the ledger, and third in the correspondence files. 

The method of accounting for exchanges is more elaborate, and the records are 
kept in a different mauner. The system of exchange is based upon a list of scientific 
institutions and individuals, both foreign and domestic, which was carefully i^re- 
pared soou after the organization of the Survey, with the view of not only placing 
the publications of the Survey in the best hands, but also of securing in return the 
greatest possible amount of material required in the library. To insure accuracy and 
completeness, the list was subsequently revised by a commission of geologists appointed 
for the purpose; and it was finally referred to, and approved by, the Secretary of the 
Interior. The exchange list thus prepared is cautiously extended, as circumstances 
require, by the addition of addresses of new libraries and institutions issuing pub¬ 
lications of value to the Survey, and of names of specialists who definitely express 
a desire to make an exchange with the Survey and specify the material they propose 
to transmit; when, if the proposal seems fair, the addition of the address is author¬ 
ized. The addresses are revised and corrected from time to time. 

The exchange list is printed upon galley slips, which are perforated, in order that 
they may be easily divided into separate address labels, each of which bears a num¬ 
ber used in keeping account of sendings and returns. The use of printed address 
slips instead of written addresses not only economizes time, but greatly reduces dan¬ 
ger of error. One of these address slips is appended hereto ; 

ADDRESS SLIP. 


1 


Ecolo Sup6rieure des Sciences, 

Rue Rovigo, 104, 

2 a Algiers, Algeria, Africa. 

[From the United States Geological Survey, Wasliington, D. C., U. S. A.] 










































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


439 


Iq addition to the ledger account with each publication, in which both sales and 
exchanges are entered, there is also assigned to each exchange publication a check 
list, in which are printed numbers corresponding to those borne upon the different slips 
of the exchange list. The first use made of this check list is in controlling the trans¬ 
mission of the documents and of the accompanying letters of advice. Checks indicat¬ 
ing transmission are first made upon the list by the proper authority 5 the list is next 
used as a guide in attaching the printed slips to the parcels in the shipping room; it 
is then used in filling out and mailing the accompanying letters 5 it is used once more 
in the verification of the work of addressing the parcels and preparing the letters when 
the matter is ready for transmission | and it is finally used for recording, by means of 
suitable checks, the acknowledgments of receipt. The check list is thus a permanent 
record of ( 1 ) the transmission of the documents, and ( 2 ) of the reception thereof by 
the persons addressed. 

The check lists are printed and bound in pamphlet form. Part of a page is ap¬ 
pended, with the mode of record shown in the first column : 

DOCUMENT CHECK LIST. 

Check list of the sending of Fifth Annual Eeport between March 19, 1886, and May 8 , 1886. 


1 

2G 

51 

70 

101 

126 

151 

176 

s/ 

27 

52 

77 

102 

127 

152 

177 

3v/ 

28 

53 

78 

103 

128 

153 

178 

rr 

20 

54 

79 

104 

129 

154 

179 

9 

34 

59 

84 

109 

134 

159 

184 

-34/ 

49 

74 

99 

124 

149 

174 

199 

35 'f 

50 

75 

100 

125 

150 

175 

200 


The check-list is supplemented by a series of charge cards, which are used also 
in the transmission of the documents distributed gratuitously. These cards are 
arranged, first, in groups or fascicles, in which the cards are of different colors and 
each is assigned to a certain series of documents while the initial card bears an ad¬ 
dress taken from the exchange list together with its serial number ; and the groups 
themselves are arranged alphabetically under the addresses. Each card is divided 
into a number of rectangles, and each rectangle has printed within it a number or 
abbreviation referring to one of the documents of the series represented by its color; 
and there is space in the rectangle for rec ording the transmission of the document 
and also—when the same cards are used in the transmission of gratuitous publications 
—( 1 ) the request for the document, when such is made ; ( 2 ) the mailing of the letter 
of advice; and (3) the acknowledgment of receipt. Samples of these cards are ap¬ 
pended : 

DOCUMEXt CHARGE CARDS. 

[Color of card, white.) 

For charging Annual Eeports and monographs. 

Doe, John, Hewitl, 'Wood Co., Wisconsin. 


A I 

1 

7 

13 

19 

35 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

A 11 


8 

14 

30 

36 

. 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

A III 

3 

9 

15 

31 

37 

. 18 R 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

•. ,188 







A IV 

4 

10 

16 

33 

38 

188 

., 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 







A V 

5 

11 

ir 

33 

39 

188 

. 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 







A VI 

6 

13 1 

IS 

34 

30 

1 

188 

. 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

i . ’ 











































































440 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 


[Color of caid, green.] 
For charging Bulletins. 

Poe, Kichard, Macon, Georgia. 


Bulletin 1 

7 

13 

19 

33 

V. I 

... 188 

., 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

.. 188 

. ,188 








8 

14 

30 

36 

V. II 

. ,188 

., 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 







3 

9 

13 

31 

37 

V. Ill 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

4 

lO 

10 

33 

38 

W IV 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. 188 

. 188 

. ,188 

3 

11 

17 

33 

39 

V. V 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

. ,188 

6 


18 

34 

30 

V. VI 

. 188 

. 188 

. ,188 

. ,188 


. ,188 


• [Color of card, salmon.] 

For charging Mineral Resources. 
Black, John, Adams, Mass. 


JTIR . 1 . 

.,188 

7 

., 18 

13 

., 18 

.18 

.18 

18 







3 

.,188 

H 

.:.,18 

14 

.,18 

.18 

. 18 

18 







3 

.,188 

9 

.,18 

13 

., 18 

.18 

. 18 

18 







4 

.,188 

lO 

.,18 

16 

.,18 

.18 

. IS 








3 

.188 

11 

.,18 

17 

.,18 

.18 

_ 18 








6 

.,188 

13 

.,18 

18 

.,18 

.18 

IS 

ica 








[Color of card, chocolate.] 
For charging photographs. 
Amberly (James C.), 347 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, Pa. 


Date. 

Photographs of— 

Size. 

No. 

1887. 

Jan. 

27 

Znni Puehlos. 

11 X 14 

12 


















































































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF TPIE INTERIOR. 


441 


' [Color of card, white.] 

For charging miscellaneous sendings. 
IIaruis, liOBERT, Pomfret, Windham Co., Conn. 


1886, 


July 27 


“History of Lake Bonneville ” (Gilbert). 


The system of record thus triplicated is still further supplemented by the retention 
of the receipts signed by the correspondents, which are preserved, in the manner 
described under the correspoudeuce system. 

There are accordingly four distinct records of the disposition of documents ex¬ 
changed by the Survey : First in the ledger account with^each document; second, in 
the check list; third, in the charge cards; and, fourth, in the receipts returned. 
These records are kept by different individuals, and check one another so completely 
that there is scarcely a possibility of error. 

(2) The method of accounting for the second category of publications, i, e., the reg¬ 
ular exchanges which are not sold, including part of the annual reports and the small 
special editions already noticed, is identical with that followed in case of the first, 
except that ledger accounts are not kept with the editions. 

(3) The mode of accounting for the documents distributed gratuitously or by spec¬ 
ial exchange is somewhat different. Instead of an exchange list there is a list of 
correspondents, which is not printed but kept in manuscript by means of the card 
system already described. A group of cards as large as may be required for each cor¬ 
respondent who has ever received a document issued by the Survey is kept under his 
name ; uiion these cards there are indicated every request made for publicat ions, the 
transmission of every document sent to his address, and every acknowledgment of 
receipt that he has made; and the groups of cards are arranged alphabetically, so that 
the account of every correspondent is readily accessible. 

The record of distribution of all three classes of documents described in the fore¬ 
going paragraphs is supplemented by the correspondence record. 

Orders for the sale publications, requests for exchanges, and applications for the 
gratuitous publications of the Survey are usually made by letter; and in such cases the 
letter is preserved in the correspondence files of the library. There are certain cases, 
however, in which copies of publications issued for sale are needed in the prosecution 
of the work of the Survey, or are required for the use of officers of the Interior or 
other Departments. In these cases a special order for the document is made by the 
Director upon a form provided for that purpose, which is subsequently tiled under an 
alphabetic arrangement in such manner that the documents disposed of in this way 
can be readily ascertained. A copy of the form is appended : 


REQUISITION FOR DOCUMENTS. 

Department of the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. C., Aug. 2Qth, 1887. 

Send to Emil Broadhead, Flatwater, Nevada, one copy 6th An. Rep. 

At who.se request: J. W. Powell, 

Order given Aug. 17, ’87, 

Parcel made up Aug. 21, ’87. 

Sent Aug. 21, ’87. By whom sent: "Wirt. 

• 

When documents are prepared for sending a letter of transmittal is also prepared, 
and, with a blank receipt and an envelope for its return, is inclosed in a larger en¬ 
velope and mailed to the address of the correspondent. Forms of the letters of 
transmittal, of the receipt, and of the return envelope are appended. 

LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. O'., Jan. Ist, 1887. 

E. B. True, 

Gallatin, Missouri : 

Sir : I .send you by mail to-day a copy of the Copper-bearing Rocks of Lake Superior, by Prof. R. D. 
Irving. 

Please fill out the inclosed receipt and return it to the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey,. 
Washington. D. C. 

By order of the Director. 

I am, reapectfully, yoara, ^ PILLING, 

Chief Cleric. 









442 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Department of the Inteuiou, 

United States (xEOlogical Survey, 

Washington, D. O., Jan. 1st, 1887. 

M. P. Croniger, 

Havre, France : 

Sir : I have the honor to send to your address Copper-hearing Rocks of Lake Superior, by Prof. R. D. 
Irving. . . ^ . 

As this volume cannot be transmitted by mail, it is sent through the Smithsonian Institution s in¬ 
ternational exchange. It may not reach you, therefore, for some time after the reception of this letter. 

Please till out the inclosed receipt and return it, post pai(?, to the Director of the U. S. Geological 
Survey, Washington, D. C. 

By order of the Director. 

I am, respectfully, yours, 

^ JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


receipt for documents. 


(A neglect to return this receipt carefully filled in below will be regarded as an indication that none 
of the future publications of the Survey are desired by you.] 


To the Director U. S. Geological Survey, 

Washington, I>. C.: 


Date,-, 188 . 


Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of one copy of the Copper-bearing Rocks of Lake Superior, 
by Prof. R. D. Irving. 


Name,-. 

Permanent address, 

City or town,-, 

country or State, — 


envelope for receipt. 





ao 

H 

z: 

^ m 

!_ 
u ri 

» 

o 


o 

rt 

c 

rz o 


oc 




2 








p*- 


c: a 

r'l 



o S S: 

O 

c £ 

.2 So 
ja o a 


Return penalty envelope. 


Department of the Interior, 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 
Official Business. 

Any person using this envelope to 
avoid the payment of postage on 
private matter of any kind 
will be subject to aline of 
Three Hundred Dollars 


To the DIRECTOR, 


United States Geological Survey, 


Washington, D. C. 


The letters of transmittal accompanying the gratuitous sendings and special ex¬ 
changes are press-copied. The returns from all classes of sendings are filed in accord¬ 
ance with the correspondence*system of the library. 

Additional records of the custody and transmission of documents are provided in 
the registry system of the Post-Office Department and in the Smithsonian exchange 
system. By the former all domestic, and by the latter all foreign, sendings are con¬ 
veyed to their destination. The methods are as follows; 

After the documents are prepared for transmission, but before they leave the cus¬ 
tody of the librarian, they are separated into “ domestic’’and “ foreign” portions, 
the former of which are transmitted by registered mail, while the latter are conveyed 
through the foreign exchange of the Smithsonian Institution. 

Parcels of documents going abroad are transmitted in lots to the Secretary of the 
Smithsonian Institution, and specific instructions for fory^arding accompany each lot. 
A letter of advice is communicated at the same time to the Secretary, as well as the 
receipts prepared for his signature, which specify the number of parcels and the ad¬ 
dresses of all. The forms used for letter and receipt are as follows : 








THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.. 


443 


LETTER USED IN SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGE. 


To the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution : 


Department of the Interior. 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Jan. 1, 1887. 


Sir: I have the honor to send herewith, for transmission through the Smithsonian Internationa 
Exchange, one package for the address given below. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

J. W. POWELL, • 
Director. 

E. M. Yeastmann, 

Woolwich, England. 


RECEIPT USED IN SMITHSONIAN EXCHANGE. 


Smithsonian Institution, 

Washington, D. C., -, 188-. 

To the Director of the United States Geological Survey: 

Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of one package for transmission through the Smithsonian 
International Exchange to the address given below. 

Very respectfully, 

S. F. BAIRD, 

Secretary. 

E. M. Yeastmann, 

Woolwich, England* 


The receipt is duly signed and returned by the Secretary of the Institution, and the 
receipts are filed in chronologic order in the office of the Survey. In addition a sep¬ 
arate account of all parcels transmitted through the Smithsonian exchange is kept 
in a book provided for that purpose called the “weight book,^^ a sample entry in 
which is appended: 


WEIGHT BOOK. 




M. R. 3. 

lb. 

oz. 

June. 

21 

R. FriedUnder & Son, Berlin, Ger. 

13 

08 

( i 


Kongl. Kommeroe Kollegium, Stockholm, Swe. 

S. C. BROWX, Jr. 

2 

01 


A special record book has been devised for use in the registration of the domestic 
parcels by which much labor is saved both to the Survey and to the Post-Office De¬ 
partment, and by which a complete record of the registration of each parcel is kept in 
duplicate, one copy being preserved in the office of the Survey, and the other in that 
of the registry clerk of the Washington post-office. A sample leaf of this record book 
is appended: 


REGISTRATION RECORD. 


United States Geological Survey.^Account of registered mail. 


Survey 

No. 

Name. 

Post-office. 

State. 

Dates upon w hich a package was 
sent to each. 

Address oppo¬ 
site which 
the date 
stands in 
the column 
below. 

Min. Res., 
1882. 

Min. Res., 
1883. 

Min. Res., 
1885. 

1155 

Geol. survey. Ark .. 

Little Rock. 

Ark. 

Aug. 10, ’85 

Jan. 26, ’86 

Feb. 26, ’87 


1156 

Eugene W. Hilgard. 

Berkeley ... 

Cal.. 

Aug. 10, ’85 

Jan. 26. ’86 

Feb. 26, ’87 


1157 

Joseph Le Conte.... 

_do. 

. do.. 

Aug. 10, ’85 

Jan. 26, ’86 

Feb. 26, ’87. 




























444 


TEE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Summary. 


The clocij ment system thus described appears to he as simple as is practicable consis¬ 
tent with the fundamental principles set forth in describing the custodial system of 
the survey. It is believed to be so complete that error or peculation could be readily 
detected at any time after the documents leave the hands of the Public Printer and 
befjre they reach the hands of the domestic institution or individual for whom they 
are designed, or until they have passed into the custody of the Smithsonian Institu¬ 
tion, the foreign exchange system of which is so widely and so favorably known. The 
system is eminently satisfactory in all resiiects, save that some delay unavoidably 
occurs in the transmission of documents to foreign correspondents. Every elfort has 
been made to reduce the delay to a minimum, and it is believed that no further im¬ 
provement in this direction can be made without important changes in the laws 
relating to the foreign mail service. 

This branch of the Survey is in charge of Mr. C. C. Darwin, the librarian. 

THE LIBRARY SYSTEM. 

Ilie General Flan of the Library. 

The establishment of a geologic library as one of the accessory divisions of the Sur¬ 
vey has been fully described in the annual reports of the survey. 

As has been pointed out in these reports, it is essential that the geologic investi¬ 
gator, if he desires to maintain a iilace in the foremost ranks of geology, shall keep 
himself constantly familiar with the current geologic literature of this and other 
countries; and since it is the policy of the Survey to employ the ablest geologists it 
is important that the means of keeping well abreast of geologic science shall be af¬ 
forded them. Accordingly provision has been made for securing the publications of 
foreign institutions of learning and science and of scientific specialists as promptly 
as possible, both by exchange in the manner already set forth, and by purchase. No 
effort is made, however, to build up a general scientific library, but only to make such 
a collection of scientific books, periodicals, pamphlets, and maps as relate specially 
to geology or will be of use iu the prosecution of the work of the Survey ; but certain 
scientific books and periodicals are of a general character, including contributions to 
to geology in connection with writings relating to other matters, and iu order to se¬ 
cure the geologic matter it is sometimes necessary to ol)tain publications devoted to 
general scientific subjects. Thus the library of the Survey is fairly supplied with 
current scientific literature iu general, and is especially rich iu current geologic 
literature. 

The operations of the Geological Survey extend over the entire country; and in order 
to avoid duplication of labor it is necessary that geologists shall be familiar with the 
work of other students in the regions upon which they are engaged. It is therefore im¬ 
portant that the library of the Survey shall include all i)ublicatious upon the geology, 
&c., of the country, whether reports of investigations undertaken by the Federal Gov¬ 
ernment, reports of State surveys, or memoirs embodying results of the work of un¬ 
official geologists. Great efforts have been made to render the Survey librar^^ as com¬ 
plete as possible with respect to these domestic publications, and all the more important 
are now on its shelves. 

The general principles of geologic science and of geologic technology are best set 
forth in the standard treatises and manuals, of which some are classic and invaluable 
to the student, while many others are of value, and all contain more or less information 
of use to the investigator in special subjects. It is desirable that the geologist shall 
have ready access to these standard publications, by the use of which the value of his 
work is greatly increased: and provision has been "made for obtaining such standard 
treatises on geology as have alre.ady been published, as well as those which appear from 
time to time. This class of publications forms a considerable part of the contents 
of the library. 

Although the most important publications in geology as in other sciences are made 
either in the form of considerable volumes, or in that ol articles iu standard periodicals, 
many treatises of considerable importance are either privately printed or published in 
small editions, generally in pamphlet form ; and in order that the library shall be com¬ 
plete it is necessary that these scattered and ephemeral publications shall be collected 
and preserved. The library is rich in geologic literature of this character. 

There are in the library five principal classes of publications, including those just 
mentioned, viz: (1) offlcial reports by the Federal Government and States, and other 
publications relating to special localities, (2) standard geologic treatises, (3) scientific 
periodicals, (4) fugitive pamphlets, etc., and (5)maps. Although the Survey has b. en 
in existence but seven years, the number of such doeuments already in the librarv is 



I 


' THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 445 


large, reaching 19,501 volumes, 26,100 pamphlets, and 8,000 maps; and a systematic ar¬ 
rangement of the contents of the library is essential to its utility. ^It is important, too, 
that a systematic method of accounting for and regulating the custody of the jiroperty 
contained in the library shall be followed, since its contents are of large money value. 

A comprehensive library system has accordingly been devised. It is founded upon 
the considerations (1) that the contents of the library shall always be readily acces¬ 
sible to the collaborators and emx)loy^s of the Survey,"and (2), that the custody of and 
responsibility for every book, pamphlet, and map shall be constantly tixed by docu¬ 
mentary evidence. 

I 

The Accessions. 


The greater part of the accessions to the library come in the form of exchanges, 
either by mail or through the Smithsonian Institution, and others are obtained by pur- 
ehase, sometimes in considerable lots, but generally by single volumes or small lots. 
■Great care is required in making out lists for purchase to avoid duplication or pur¬ 
chase of irrelevant matter on the one hand, or neglect of desirable publications on the 
other. All orders for the purchase of books are approved by the Director. 

Current accessions in small lots, coming by mail or otherwise, pass through the 
hands of the chief clerk. A record is kept of the larger lots, either in the account 
with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, in case they come through the 
Smithsonian exchange, or by the property clerk if they are shipped direct. 

Foreign purchases of books for the library are exempt from duty by statute; and 
when information has been received from a foreign dealer that a lot of books has 
been shipped upon a certain steamer, a letter is written to the Secretary of the Inte¬ 
rior for communication to the Secretary of the Treasury, requesting that the col¬ 
lector of customs at the proper port be instructed to admit the case free of duty. 
The letter is written upon the accompanying form: 

REQUEST FOR FREE ENTRY. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., June 1st, i886. 

To the honorable the Secretary of the Interior 
Sir : I have the honor to request that the honorable the Secretary of the Treasury be asked to in¬ 
struct the collector of customs at the port of New York to admit free of duty and charges one box, 
consigned to John Doe 714 Broadway, N. Yr, marked J. D. 207, which has arrived at that port from 
London, England, per steamer Circassia. The case contains publications destined exclusively for the 
United’states Geological Survey, and is to be delivered to John Doe, for J. \Y. Powell, Director, 
n,t Washington, D. C. 

The articles named (publications) comprise the entire contents of the above case, and “the price to 
be paid for the same does not include the duty payable on such articles” when imported by private 

parties. , ^ 

I am, sir, with respect, your obedient servant, 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


On receipt by tbe librarian, all documents are stamped with the name of the insti¬ 
tution and the year, and entered in the accessions catalogue of the library, which 
contains a short title oTeach book received, including its condition, binding, ,&,c. A 
sample leaf of the accessions,catalogue is appended : 


accessions catalogue. 


United States Geological Survey—Accessions Catalogue of, the Library. 


Date. 

Author. 

Title. 

Size. 

Place. 

1886. 
Jan. 9 
Jan. 9 


The Greiit Tor a gft_ _____ 

8° 

80 

London. 

Paris. 

Daubr6e. 

fitudes synth^tiq'ues de g6ologie exp6rimentale. 

■ ' 



Date. 

Bind¬ 

ing. 

1874 

Cloth. 

1879 

J mor. 


Source. 


Foreign. 


Purchased. 

Exchange, Bossange 


Price. 


Remarks. 


United States. 


N umber 
of vol¬ 
umes. 


$3 50 


1 

1 






































446 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


In the case of hoiincl volumes an accessions number is added to the stamp and en¬ 
tered in the catalogue, and the accompanying label is affixed to the inside of the 
cover. 

BOOK LABEL. 



Pamphlets and maps do not have accessions numbers; and the serials receive ac¬ 
cessions number only when bound. The serials are, however, entered upon their re¬ 
ceipt in the periodicals catalogue, a sample leaf from which is appended. 

CATALOGUE OF PERIODICALS. 


United States Geological Survey—Periodicals Catalogue of the Library. 


Title. 

Place. 

1886. 

1887. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

American Naturalist....... 

Philadelphia.. 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 



































When books are received unbound, and when volumes of periodicals are com¬ 
pleted, they are bound in the Government bindery, upon requisition of the Secretary 
of the Interior. 

The volumes are prepared for binding in the library and instructions for the 
binder are indicated upon blank forms, a sample of which is appended : 


DIRECTIONS FOR BINDING. 


Eq 

t> 

Ph 

tJ 

cc 

o 

KH 

cb 

o 

tJ 

o 

w 

o 

p 






















































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 


447 


When a number of volumes thus prepared have accumulated, the Secretary of the 
Interior is requested upon the accompanying form to make a requisition for binding 
them. 

REQUISITION FOR BINDING. 


No. 109.] Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D, G., July 20, 1877. 

Sir : Please cause to be bound for this office the following-described books of which*- 

inclosed: 


No. of copies. 

Title or description of work. 

6 volumes. 

(A separate requisition must be made for each item.) 

Geological Society, London. 


INSTRUCTIONS. 

Lettering will be found on slips contained in each volume. 
Very respectfully, 


J. Wr. POWELL, 

Director. 


To the Hon. Secretary of the Interior. 


* Copy of work to be printed; specimen leaf of blank book to be made or list of books to 
be bound, as the case may be, must be sent with the requisition covering the work. 

Packages of material—envelopes papers, books, &c.—for the Public Printer should be 
marked to show the name of the Bureau and number ofthe requisition to which they pertain, 
and sent to the stationery and printing division to be forwarded with the requisition from 
there. 


U 

S 

> 


■ a 

^ & 
o 
w 
S3 
O 
(D 

3 

0 ) 

6 h f. . 
© 


o M 


[Indorsement.] 


No.- 

REQUISITION FOR PRINTING OR BINDING. 

U. B. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE. 


, 188.. 


• Cost, $. 

^ Public Printer’s Estimate of Cost. 


0 

(Dated) 


188.. 


Composition. 

Putting plates to press 

Presswork. 

Folding.. 

Paper. 

Ruling. 

Binding. 

Stereotyping. 

Total. 


Received 


188.. 


Returned 


188.. 


The requisition for binding is sent from the stationery division of the Interior De¬ 
partment to the Government bindery, and the librarian of the Survey is advised of 
the requisition number; when the books are transmitted to the Government bindery 




































448 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


witli tlie number of requisition marked upon eacli parcel. At tUe same lime two 
letters of transmittal are prepared, one for the superintendent of tbe stationery di¬ 
vision of the Department of the Interior, through whom the books are sent, and one 
for the superintendent of the bindery. These letters are prepared upon the appended 
forms, and, with the accompanying lists of volumes to be bound, are copied in a let¬ 
ter-press book kept for that purpose: 

LETTER TO GOVERNMENT HINDER. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 
Washington, D. G., September 13, 1887. 

Sir : I send you through the chief of the stationery division of the Interior Dopartraeut, twelve vol¬ 
umes, as specified in the accompanying list, which I should be pleased to have bound for the Geologi¬ 
cal Survey on requisition 9031, Interior Depaitment. 

By order of the Director. 

Yours, with respect, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

To James White, 

Foreman Government Bindery. 


letter to stationery clerk. 

Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. G., September 13,1887. 

Sir : I send you twelve volumes, as specified in the accompanying list, which I should be pleased to 
have bound for the Geological Survey on requisiticn 9031, Interior Department. 

By order of the Director. 

Yours, with respect, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

To L. Q. C, Lamar, Jr., 

Chief of the Stationery Division, Interior Department. 

On its return from the bindery each volume is checked off the press-copied list in 
which it is charged to the bindery, and is labeled and numbered, and if necessary, 
stamped, in the manner already indicated. 

Maps in single sheets generally require to be mounted on muslin. This is done in 
the geographic division upon requisition signed by the librarian and counter-signed 
by the chief clerk, and receipts are given by the librarian when the maps are re¬ 
turned. A record of the work is thus kept by means of the requisitions themselves. 
The forms of face and reverse of the requisition for map mounting are appended. 

requisition for map mounting. 


[Face of requisitiou.] 


No. 901.J , Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, * 
October 10, 1887. 

Henry Gannett, Chief Geographer: 

Please furnish to this oflSce for Mr. E. J. Good, 1 Mt. Shasta sheet, mounted. 

JAMES C. PITXING. 

Chief Clerk. 

Received Oct. 10th, 1887. 

E J. GOOD. 
(Over.) 


[Reverse of requisition.] 


Mr. J. Collins: 

Please comply with the within request. 

HENRY GANNETT, 

_ , Chief Geographer 

Remarks: (Make special). 

Received Oct. 10, 1887. Completed Oct. 13, 1887. 

Note.-—I n the case of extended conpilations, details of draftsmen, <fec,, a written application «1 ould 
be submitted, stating specifically the amount and character of the work required. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


449 


A special index catalogue of the maps is tlieu prepared, in which they are arranged 
geographically; and each is stamped with the number assigned to it under the geo¬ 
graphic arrangement. A leaf of this index catalogue is appended : 

MAP CATALOGUE. 


Reymann’s Special-karte. Berlin. 332 sheets. 1100 

Prussia, Kon. Preuss. Generalstab.' Atlas. 68 sheets.. 1101 

Hohenzollernsche Lande. Bei-lin, 1863. 9 sheets. 1102 

Trigouometrische pnnkte. K. Preuss. Bur. d. Landestriangulation. 32 sheets. 1103 

Dreiecksnetz I and II ordnung d. Preuss. raonarchie. 7 sheets. 1104 

Schmiedbaren eisens in Preussen, 1880. Berlin, Naumann. 2 sheets. 1105 

Koheisens in Preussen, 1880. Berlin, Naiimann. 2 sheets... 1106 

Mmeralische brennstoffe in Preussen, 1881. Berlin, Xaumann. 2 sheets. 1107 

Steinkohlengebirges, &c., v. Halle. Berlin, 1870. Laspeyres. 3 sheets. 1108 

Schleswig-Holstein, Meyn., 1881. Berlin, Laudesanstalt.. 1109 

Geol. Karte d. Insel Sylt., Meyn., 1876. Berlin. 1110 


The full title of each book, pamphlet, or map thus received and noted in the gen¬ 
eral accessions catalogue, in the periodicals catalogue, or in the map catalogue is then 
transcribed upon a card, which gives in addition the price, accessions number ,and 
the date of receipt, of the document. A sample card is appended: 


CATALOGUE CARD. 


GEIKIE (Archibald). 


1886. 

$7.00 (St.) 
16312. 


Text-book of geology. 1 By | Archibald Geikie, 11. d., f. r. s., | director-general of the geo¬ 
logical survey of Great Britain and Ireland, 1 [etc., 4 lines]. 1 With illustrations. | Sec¬ 
ond edition, revised and enlarged. | London: 1 Macmillan and co. j 1885 1 8°. xvi, 992 pp. 
inch 1 pi. 1 tab. 1 pi. 


These cards constitute, when arranged alphabetically, a complete card catalogue of 
all documents which have passed into the custody of the library. 

Bound volumes are then assigned to cases and shelves, an orderly and system¬ 
atic arrangement being adopted, in order that persons only moderately familiar with 
the library may easily find publications relating to any area or subject; the pam¬ 
phlets are assigned to pamphlet cases, in which they are arranged alphabetically ; and 
the maps are placed in cases constructed for the purpose, in which the arrangement 
is such that they are readily accessible. 

The accessions having thus become a part of the library, they are ready for circula¬ 
tion. Every volume bears the Survey stamp, printed in indelible ink upon the title 
page, and upon a certain page of the text, and in addition bears the accessions number 
and the Survey label; every pamphlet bears the Survey stamp upon its title page and 
elsewhere within it; and every map bears the Survey stamp and its catalogue number. 
There is also a record of every document in the card catalogue, of all except period¬ 
icals in the accessions catalogue, of the periodicals in the periodicals catalogue, of 
the maps in the map catalogue, and of most of the documents in the correspoudence 
files of the library. 


The Circulation. 

The library is designed for the use of the various collaborators and employes of 
the Survey, "and they are authorized to make requisition for any book, pamphlet, 
or map contained therein, except certain standard works of reference which are con¬ 
stantly kept in the library. 

The circulation is effected by m,eans of ‘‘call cards,” which are at the same time 
requisitions and receipts for the book, pamphlet, or map desired. The card bears the 
name of the author or of the series to which the desired work belongs, the title of 
the work and its date, and the signature of the maker of the requisition, together 
with his address if not in Washington; and when the volume is issued, the accessions 
number is inscribed upon the card, together with remarks concerning its condition if 
necessary. These cards are kept alphabetically arranged, and afford a means of 
quickly ascertaining what volumes have been legitimately withdrawn from the 
library. A specimen card is appended: 

4402 INT- 20 

















450 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


LIBRARY CALL CARD. 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C-, January 14,1887. 

Eeceived from the library of the U. S. Geological Survey the followiug work: 


Author. 

Title. 

Vols. 

Date. 

Geological Society of Loudon.. 

Proceedings, 1878...-. 

1 

1878 






[Name:] John Smith, 

I Address:]-. 

Applicaut will write one title only on this card. 

Librarian will return the card if the work is not sent, or when the work is returned. 

An account is kept also upon a card witli the maker of each requisition in such 
manner that the documents in his possession, with their titles and accessions numbers 
and the dates of requisition, can be seen at a glance. This series of cards is also ar¬ 
ranged alphabetically; and the accounts of the users of the contents of the library 
thus kept afford a check uxiou the other series. One of these cards is also appended: 

LIBRARY ACCOUNT CARD. 

SMITH (John). 


6003 
Geikie ... 
14768 

Dana. 

17624 
Le Conte. 


1-27-87 

1- 30-87 

2- 13-87 


When documents are returned the call cards are either restored to their makers or 
destroyed, and the date of return is entered upon the account card. 

By means of this system account is kept of the custody of each document in the 
library, and in case of loss, destruction, or injury the responsibility therefor can be 
immediately fixed. 

The Use of Books from the Library of Congress. 

Although the Survey library is measurably complete in the technic literature which 
it seems desirable to keep, there are occasional demands for works not found within 
it which may be found in the Congressional Library; and through the courtesy of 
Hon. A. R. Spoffbrd, the Librarian of Congress, arrangements have been made for 
drawing certain books from that library for the use of the collaborators of the Survey. 

Requests for such books are made out by persons desiring them, and are communi¬ 
cated through the chief clerk. A blank form is provided for this purpose. Blank 
forms are also provided for notifying the users of books belonging to the Library of 
Congress that their return has been requested ; for notifying the Librarian of Con¬ 
gress that books have been returned; and for obtaining his formal receipt therefor. 
Copies of these blanks are aiipended: 


REQUEST TO LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS. 


Hon. A. E. Spofford, 

Librarian of Congress: 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D.O., August 1, 1886. 


Sir: I would respectfully request the following named books for use in this office: 


Author. 

Title. 

Date. 

Vols. 

Dabney.. 

Elements of Geology. 

1 CftQ 

1 




J 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


By order of the Director. 
Tours, respectfully, 





































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


451 


NOTICE TO EETURN BOOKS. 


John Smith, 

Geological Survey, City: 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, B. C., June 1, 1887. 


Sir : The books mentioned below, belonging to the Library of Congress, have been asked for by that 
library. You will please return them at an early day. 


Author. 

Title. 

Date. 

Vols. 

Deming.. 

Glacial Epochs. 

1831 

1 





I should be glad to return all not now in use. 
Tours, with respect. 


NOTICE OF RETURN OF BOOKS. 


JAMES C. FILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Hon. A. R. Spofford, 

Librarian of Congress: 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, B. C., August 10, 1887. 


Sir : I return by bearer, with many thanks for their use, the following-named books received from 
the Library of Congress: 


Author. 

Title. 

Vols. 

Received. 

Dabney. 

Elements of Geology. 

1 

Aug. 1,1887 





By order of the Director. 
Tours, respectfully. 


JAMES C. PILLING. 

Chief Clerk. 


receipt for return of books. 


Library of Congress. 
Washington, B. C., August 10,1887. 

Received from the United States Geological Survey the books mentioned below: 





Procured 

Author. 

Title. 

Vols. 

from libra- 




ry- 


Elements of Geology. 

1 

Aug. 1,1887 





Bibliographic worJc. 


A. R. SPOFFORD, 

Librarian of Congress. 


The employds of the Survey engaged iu library work acquire a certain liimiliarity 
with the contents of the books, periodicals, and pamphlets which they are constantly 
handling, and are thus enabled to assist the investigator materially in his study of 
the literature of the subject upon which he may be engaged. The knowledge thus 
acquired by the library force is utilized iu another way. 

With the growth of scientific literature aneed for bibliographies is developed. When 
properly constructed a bibliography is to the literature of any special subject what 
the index is to a single volume; anil the preparation of such bibliographies as expe¬ 
rience shows to be necessary adds greatly to the value of libraries. Now, the library 
of the Geological Survey affords unexampled facilities for the preparation of certain 
geologic bibfiograiihies, the need for whieh has long been felt by American geologists. 
Two different bibliographies have accordingly been projected, and work upon them 
is systematically carried forward in the library. A large part of the work is done 
during the intervals of leisure occurring in routine work ; but in order to keep the 

































452 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


subject well in band the bibliographic work is made the special 
library force. 

Personnel. 


duty of 


one of the 


The library is in charge of Mr. C. C. Darwin, who has at present eleven assistants; 
but the duties of the division incluile not only the library work proper and the bib¬ 
liographic work just mentioned, but also the distribution of documents and all cor- 
resx)ondence pertaining to documents and library matters. 


THE STATIONERY SYSTEM. 


The stationery required for the use of the Survey in office and field is not purchased 
out of the annual appropriations, but is issued from the stationery division of the 
Interior Department upon requisitions of the Director. 

The following forms of requisitions are used : 


Ileg’r. No.-.] 


GENERAL STATIONERY REQUISITION. 


[Abstract No. 


To the Chief Clerk, Department of the Interior : 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 
Office of the Director, 
Washington, D. C., July 3, 1885. 


Sir: Please cause the articles of stationery, specified below, to be delivered for official use in this 
otfice. 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Number of 




item on 
schedule. 

Quantity. 

Articles. (Put but one item on a line.) 

Cost. 

3 

1 gross_ 

Rubber pen-holders. 

$4 00 


(On the margin:) Please put the articles on the requisition in the order in which they appear on the 
schedule. 


Received the above July 7,1885. 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief. Clerk. 


Note.—P lease receipt and return this requisition to the stationery division immediately after the 
articles are delivered. 


special stationery requisition. 


(Requisition for blanks and blank books.) 


To the Chief Clerk, Department of the Interior: 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 
Office of the Director, 
May 10,1887. 


Sir : Please cause the office blanks, as specified below, and of which samples are inclosed herewith, 
to be delivered for official use in this office. ’ 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Number of 
blanks on 
catalogue. 

Quantity. 

Title of blank or blank book. (Put but one item on a line.) 

1-056 

500 

Weekly Reports. 


(On the margin:) Please put the blanks on the requisition in the o 'der in which they appear in the 
catalogue. 


Received the above May 15, 1887. 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

Note.—P lease receipt and return this requisition to the stationery and printing division immediately 
after the articles are delivered. ^ 

l^’Not more than one month's supply of blanks should be ordered at once. 

























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


453 


The stationery thus drawn from the Interior Department includes not only the ar¬ 
ticles and materials commonly included under that designation, but also (1) certain 
dra\Ving instruments and materials, and (2) the various blanks usediu thetrausaction 
of the business of the different divisions of the Survey. 

Drawiug-iustrumeuts and materials not obtained by requisition upon the Interior 
Department are purchased out of the annual appropriations, and in the interest of 
economy such outside purchases are reduced to a minimum. But care is taken to 
avoid false economy in the purchase of instruments and materials and consequent 
crippling of work. Instruments are less expensive than time ; and whenever it ap¬ 
pears that the best interests of the public service will be subserved by the use of 
articles and materials not found in the lists of the Interior Department, these are 
purchased either from the lowest and best bidder under the competitive system, or at 
current market rates, as may be found most expedient in special cases, in the manner 
already set forth. 

It is the policy to provide suitable printed forms and blanks for use in the transac¬ 
tion of business with the view of not only reducing clerical labor to a minimum, but 
of also reducing to a minimun the danger of error in making the various records re¬ 
quired in the business system herein described. A great variety of cards and other 
blanks for bibliographic purposes, catalogues, and various other needs are also pro¬ 
vided under the stationery system. 

(1) There is a series of cards devised for keeping record of earthquake observations, 
as follows: 


EAUTUQUAKE KECOED. 


Place of observation : Summerville, S. C. 

Date of observation : Sept. 10, 1886. 

Facts obtained from Clarence E. Harris. 

Shocks: 

Number, two. 

Time, 9.30 a. m.; 9.48 a. m. 

Intensity, 3. 

Direction, NE. to S\V. 

Eemaeks : Very slight, accompanied bv peculiar rambling sounds. 


(2) There are different forms for schedules used in collecting data for the reports 
upon mineral resources published by the Survey, which are appended. 


Schedule A.] 


KECOED OF MINEKAI.S, ETC. 


[Page 300. 


STATE OR TERRITORY, MONTANA. 

Ores, minerals, and mineral substances of industrial importance, ivhich are at present mined. 

[Reported by J. Middleton. 1 


Mineralogical name. 


Common name. 


Remarks. 


Agate 


Agate 


Found near Helena. 
















454 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Schedule B.] [Page 299. 

STATE'OB TEBRITORY, MONTANA. 

« • 

Ores, minerals, and mineral substances of industrial importance and hnown occurrence, but 

which are not at present mined. 

[Reported by J. Murphy, jr.] 


M ineralogical name. 

Common name. 

Remarks. 

Feldapn.r -_ _ 

Feldsp.ar__ 






Schedule C.] 

UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, DIVISION OF MINING STATISTICS AND 

TECHNOLOGY. 


List of persons, firms, and corporations furnishing informationfor or in any way facilitat¬ 
ing the preparation on the statistical report of the mineral industries of the United States. 

[Confidential.] 


Reported by Mr. C. E. Mango, in charge of office. Forwarded to central office Aug. 10, 1886. 

Imtructions .—Agent will please send li^t to David T. Day, jr., on completion of work, retaining a 
copy for reference. Arrange names according to the mineral products with which they are concerned, 
so that the list may be conveniently used in further work. The number of copies of the report for 

-available for gratuitous distribution not being known, the agent will please indicate the degree 

of indebtedness by writing in the fifth column the numbers 1, 2, or 3, thus grouping correspondence 
into three classes, of which those marked “ 1 ” will take precedence over those marked “2,” &c. 


Subject: (Min¬ 
eral product, 
&c.) 


Mine, works, or lo¬ 
cality, &c.. about 
which information 
has been given. 


Name of person, 
firm, or corpo¬ 
ration giving in¬ 
formation. 


Post-office address 
of person, firm, or 
corporation giv¬ 
ing information. 


Their claim 
for copies 
of the— 
leport. 


Remarks. 


Gold 


Marley Mining Co .. 


C. M. Marley 


Helena, Mont 
























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


455 


(3) There are labels for the record books of the geographic division; as follows: 

LABELS^OR RECORD BOOKS. 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 



United States Geological Survey. 


Book No. 9003. 

Case B. 


Shelf, or drawer 

; Top. 


Locality: 



Season of 

1886. 

J. 

M. YOTES, 
Topographer. 


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
United States Geological Survey. 

GEOGRAPHIC RECORDS. 


Book No. 301. 

Character of record: Field notes. 

Division; Appalachian division. 

Party: J. M. Yotes. 

Season of J. M. TOTES, 

1886. Topographer. 


(4) There are forms for weekly reports of work by the topographers of the topo¬ 
graphic division, represented by the following: 


WEEKLY REPORT. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Division of Geography, 
Warrenton, Fa., October 3, 1884. 


Mr. Gilbert Thompson, 

Topographer: 

Sir: The following: is a detailed report of work performed by myself, assisted by Mr. Richard Roe 
during the week ending October 3,1884: 



Mon. 

Tues. 

Wed. 

Thurs. 

Fri. 

Sat. 

Total. 

Miles of roads or streams meandered. 

10 

9 

10 

8 

0 

10 

47 

Number of instrumental stations made. 

2 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

4 

Number of instrumental stations platted... 
Honrs necessarily employed in going to and 

1 

0 

0 

. 0 

0 

0 

1 

from work. 

4 

1 

3 

5 

0 

3 

16 


Area surveyed, in square miles. 

Cost of subsistence while employed in field work ... 
Cost of transportation while employed in field work. 


Total expense. 

Elevations of stations have 


been determined and recorded as the work progressed. 


Rbmarks.— Will break camp next Tuesday and start for neighborhood of Fredericksburg. 

Very respectfully, JOHN DOE, 

Assistant Topographer. 





























456 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


(5) There is a form for the record of transit observations; as follows: 

TRANSIT RECORDS. 


Transit ohservaliona and redactions. 

Date, 


• 

star. 

Appearance. 

o / 

o / 

o / 

0 1 

0 / 

0 / 

Declination... 

Position, clamp. 

Level, E .—W . 

Level reversed. 

h. m. s. 

h. m. 8. 

h. m. 8. 

h. m. 8. 

h. m. 8. 

h. m. a. 

Thread I... 

II. 

in . 

IV . 

V . 

VI . 

VII . 

Mean. 

Correction for rate. 

Correction for inclination. 

Correction for collimation. 

Correction for azimuth. 

Reduced transit. 

Tabular A. R. 

Correction of chronometer. 


‘ 




• 


Normal equations. a =• Station. Transit. 

c = (^> Oh.ro. 

J T A Observer. 

(6) There is the followijig form for the record of geodetic co-ordinates: 

GEODETIC RECORDS. 

Name: State: 


Location 


Latitude . 
Method .. 
Longitude 
Method .. 
Authority. 
Deference, 
Remarks.. 


(7) There is a form for the record of analyses performed in the division of chemistry, 
and another form for the use in the preparation of reports thereon. A copy of the 
latter is appended: 

REPORT OF ANALYSIS. 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

United States Geological Survey, Division op Chemistry. 

Report of analysis No. 3100, B. 

Material received from John Doe, geologist. United State's Geological Survey. 


Greensand marl similar to that found in Maryland. 


Examined by Frank Smith and reported August 13, 1887. 


F. W. CLARKE, 
Chief Chemist. 
















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


457 


(8) There are various blanks prepared for the record of observations and measure¬ 
ments made in the geographic division. Certain standard forms of note books are 
also used in the geologic division s. Specimens of these various forms are appended: 


BOOK FOli COMPUTATION OF TRIANGLIES. 


Computing 

letter. 

Logarithms of their sines. 

Calculation of the sides. 

Sides in yards. 

Designation. 

S. 


log. K. L.= 

a. c. log. sin S.— 

log. sin R.— 



K. 


log. L. S.= 





log. R. L. + ( _ 

a. c. log. sin S. S. 

log. sin L.— 



L. 


log. R.S.= 




Names of 
stations. 

Position. 

Observed 

angles. 

Correction 
by L. S. 

Corrections 

arbitrary. 

Spherical 

angles. 

Spherical 

excess. 

Final plane 
angles. 


Sought, 

Right, 

fr o 

Left, 

o t n 

// 

// 

n 

// 

t tt 

\ 


BOOK FOR COMPUTATION OF GEODETIC DISTANCES. 


Triangle. 

Station. 

Spherical angles. 

5. e. 

Plane angles. 

Log. sines. 

• 




# 


^ - - 


Figure adjustment in Book 


, page 


Computed by 





























































458 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


BOOK FOR COMPUTATION OF LATITUDES, LONGITUDES, AND AZIMUTHS. 


Names of stations. 


Latitudes. 


L'=L — u" (l-l-e* cos* L) cos Z —J sin 1" sin* Z u"* (1+e* cos* L) tan L. 


Latitude (L). 


...= 


log.K (yds.) . 



i sin 1" . 

1 



2 log. ain Z__ 

log. N. sinl" 

log. u". 



2 log. ii"__ 

log. (1+6* cos* 

L). 

...= 


log. cos Z. 

-( 

) = 

log. tan L. 

log. Ist term . 


- 

log. 2d term. 

1 St term. 

-( 

) = 

2d do. 

• ( 

) = 

2d term. 

<5L. 

.( 

) = 

L+L". 

L. 



Latitude (L') 



L + L" 



2 


Longitudes. 

Azimuths. 

Eemarks. 

cos L' 

Z = 180° + Z—(6 M) 

2 

Longitude M.— 

Azimuth Z.— 

• 

Log. sin Z.( ) — 

Log. u".— 

180° + Z.- 

Log. cos L'.( ) — 

Log. (SM).( )- 

( ) 

(<5M).( )- 

Log. sin .— 

2 

..( ) = 

log. 5Z.( )- 

.( )- 

180°+ Z.- 

M'.- 

Azimuth Z'.— 












































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


459 


BOOK FOR COMPUTATION OP BAROMETRIC ALTITUDES. 


Base barometer No. --, book No.-. 

Field barometer No.-, book No.-. 


-, Computer. 


Notation. 

Computation. 

Computation. 

Computation. 

Computation. 

Date 

Base station 

New station 

Mean latitude 

No. of synchronous obs’ns. 
h 

h' 

Instrumental correction 

Corrected h' 

r 

r' 

r—r' 

t 

t' 

t + t' 

t+t'—64 

Computation of (A) 
Approx. D 
t + t' —64 

Quotient 

Table I for h 

Table I for h' 

Difference 

Table II for r—r' 

Approx. D. 

^ A \ DX (t X t'—64) 

' ' 9 X 100 

Second approx. D 
■Correction for Table IV 

Difference of altitude % 
Alt. of reference station 

Alt. of station 

Mean altitude 

Bemarks 


' 



• 



































































































460 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


BOOK FOR COMPUTATION OP GEODETIC CO-ORDINATES. 


Azimuth a: 
Spherical angle: 

Azimuth a': 

S a-f1800 

Azimuth (a): 


GEODETIC CO-ORDINATES. 


LATITUDE. 

L: 

S L ' Geo. Pos. No. 

L' 

Geo. Pos. No. 

ComputationJor latitude: 

log. K 
“ B 
“ cos a' 

log. tl) 

log. K2 

y c 

‘ ‘ sin* a' 
log. (H) 

log. D 
“ ri-i-ii]2 


log, (III) 
log. E 

“ K*8in*a' 
“ (I) 

log. (IV) 


LONGITUDE. 

A: 

S A 


A' 

Computation for longitude : 

log.K 
“ sin a' 

“ A 
“ sec. L' 


log. (V) 


Computation of azimuth: 
log. (V) 


sin. 




v 




sec, 




log. (VI) 
S a 


Azimuth check. 


(I) 

(II) 

(III) 

(IV) 


6L 


+ 


[I+11] 

+ 

log. “ 


“ LI+ 11]* 


Check; 
Spher. angle 
at 

i. 


Computation of Azimuth a, in Book-, page — . Spherical 

angle and distance = K, in Book-, page, Trianangle No.-. 

--Station. Computed by-. 





























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


461 


BOOK FOR TOPOGRArillC RECORDS. 

























462 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


BOOK OF TOWNSHIP PLATS, 'FOR TOPOGRAPHIC NOTES. 


Township-. 

Range-. 

• Principal meridian. 





e* 

' 





rk 


4 - 

i 

J 




± 


J 


tZ 


L 

f 

7 

t 

% 

t 


i 

A 

4 

1 

-• 

o 

4 


i 

3 



r 





h0 

4 

f) 


rt 

A 


4 

c» 

4 

A 

4 

> 

1 


1 

/ 

1 

U 

L 

r 

1 


1 

i 

4 


n 

A 

r 



A 

O 

A 


4 

± 

J 


U 

H 

1 

4v 



t3 

4W 

% 


o 


0 

A 

A 


• 

n 


o 

ff 

o 

V 

¥* 


A* 

0 


( 

- #1% 

0 



'I 

r 

n 

o 

n 



4 





Oi 

L 


tv 


J 

u 

1 

• 

J 

5 

o 

a 


































































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


463 


BOOK FOR METEOROLOGICAL RECORDS. 

U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.' 


Division, 'barometer No. 


Observer. 


Date. 

Cistern barome¬ 
ter. 

Temp, 
and inst. 
error. 

Barometer 

reduced. 

Thermometers. 

Winds. 

Clouds. 

Remarks. 

Day. 

Hour. 

Upper 

vernier. 

L ow e r 
vernier. 

A.T.’ 

P 

PQ 

Max. 

Min. 

Dir. 

Force. 

Per cent. 

Species. 


















BOOK FOR TRAXSIT RECORDS. 


T 


BOOK FOR RECORD OF LATITUDES. 


station, Record. 

Instrument, 


No. 

Star No. 

Cat. 

N. or S. 

Micrometer. 






D. 


Z. T. latitudes. Date, 

Observer, 


Level. 

Time. 

Obs. No. 

Remarks. 

N. 

S. 

m. s. 
















































































464 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


BOOK FOR RECORD OF BASE MEASUREMENTS. 


Time. 

Whole 

No. of bar. 

Temperature. 

Inclination. 

Correction. 

number. 

Obs’d. 

Mean. 

+ 

— 










Balanced. 

Correction for inclination. 

Eemarks. 





BOOK FOR ITINERARY METEOROLOGICAL RECORD. 


U. S. GEOLOGICAL SUEVEY. 
- Division. Party No.- 


Loeaiity. 

Date. 

Barometer. 

Thermometer. 

Eemarks.. 

Day. 

Hour. 

Upper vernier. 

Lower vernier. 

A. T. 

D.T. 

W.B. 








• 



The variety of observations recorded by the geologist is so great that it is imprac¬ 
ticable to arrange in advance for their record. In consequence, simple blank books 
are used for geologic purposes. 

As shown by the list published by the Interior Department, two hundred and thirty- 
nine blank forms are i^rinted for the use of the Geological Survey. 

Extended use of blank forms is made in what may be designated the autographic 
card system of keeping records. It has already been shown that the library circula¬ 
tion is effected by means of “ call cards” maVle out and signed by persons desiring 
books. The same method is pursued in other departments. Requisitions for photo¬ 
graphs, for map-mounting, for topographic instruments and supplies, &c.,are made 
out upon blank forms printed on card-board; receipt is acknowledged on the same 
card when delivery is made, and the cards themselves, when arranged alphabetically, 
afford a complete and convenient record of the transactions. The requisitions for 
stationery themselves are based upon the same principle. The following is the form 
of requisition used under the stationery system : 










































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


465 


STATIONERY KEQIJISITICN. 


DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. 


To the Chief Clerk : 

Please issue to Mr. Gilbert the following articles of stationery for office use: 


Feh'y 13, 1887. 


CO 

O . 
O « 

aB 

S.o 

$ * 

• so 

a ® 

QD rS 

CO a 
.2 « 


2 packages envelopes. 

1 quire letter paper. 

1 box rubber bands—medium. 





Q 

05 


<1 




o 
a L. 

C5 4) 



a © 

ci « 
3-.S3 
C'O 


© ffi 

rt 'C. 

SciJ 


G. K. GILBERT, 
Chief of Division. 


© 

> 

o 

3. 

& 

< 


The methods employed in the stationery system are based upon that adopted for 
the Interior Department generally, and correspond in most respects v/ith those pur¬ 
sued in the ditferent Departments of the Government; but an important modification 
in method is made in one particular. 

It is an implied term in the contract under which agents of the Government are em¬ 
ployed that wliile engaged in office work they shall be supplied with necessary station¬ 
ery. Now, as fully set forth in preceding paragraphs, one of the fundamental princi¬ 
ples ill the policy of the Geological Survey is that in the custody of property of all kinds 
there shall not only be documentary responsibility, but the actual responsibility shall 
coincide therewith. This princijilo is applied in the stationery system. The requi¬ 
sitions for stationery are made out in the name of the individual who requires the 
article or instruments; they are countersigned by the chief of party or division; 
they are then approved by the chief clerk; and these requisitions are filed alphabeti- 
calfy under the names of the persons to whom the property was issued. So there is 
a iiersonal responsibility for every article issued from the stationery department, and 
that responsibility is not distributed over a division, a party, or even a single room. 
The chief of division shares responsibility with the subordinate only in that he in¬ 
dorses his request, and the chief clerk shares responsibility only in that he indorses 
the certificate of the superintending officer; but it is the individual who actually 
uses the property who is held responsible therefor upon the records of the institution. 
It is believed that this method of fixing responsibility tends decidedly to check ex¬ 
travagance and waste. 

Stationery, like all other property used by the Survey, is classed as expendible and 
non-expendible, the former including paper, envelopes, pens, ink, pencils, and other 
articles rapidly destructible in use or quickly exhausted in ordinary operations, and 
the second including more durable articles, such as shears, ink-stands, rulers, &c. 
Departmental responsibility for the expendible stationery terminates and individual 
responsibility begins when the articles pass upon requisition from the custody of the 
stationery clerk into the hands of the maker of the requisition ; and there is no fur¬ 
ther record of the property. Non-expendible articles are, however, charged against 
the persons to whom they are issued on requisition in a book kept by the stationery 
clerk for that purpose ; the condition of the account with the individual is examined 
from time to time; and new articles are not issued until it has been ascertained by 
the chief clerk that there is sufficient reason for dropping the old from the record. 

There is a stationery room in the office of the Survey, which is in charge of a sta¬ 
tionery clerk, assisted by one or more messengers as may be required from time to 
time. 

30 


4402 INT 




466 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


THE CORRESPONDENCE SYSTEM. 

The correspondence of the office is carried on in three divisions, viz : in the mis¬ 
cellaneous division, in the office of the chief disbursing clerk, aaid in the library. 
In the first two divisions the system is that adopted by the Interior Department; but ifc 
has been found economic of time and labor to mo'dify this system by substituting a card 
index of letters received for the index entered in a book kept tor the purpose. In the 
card index the letters are entered under the names of their authors upon cards ot 
uniform size, which are then a.rranged alphabetically and chronologically in specially 
constructed cases. By means of the card index the arrangement of entries is alpha¬ 
betic, not only under'initial letters but throughout; and finding is thereby greatly 
facilitated. Again, the cards atibrd space for more extended briefs and memoranda 
than could be entered in a volume as commonly arranged. Moreover, the card index 
is capable of indefinite extension; and at the same time entries may be expunged or 
modified without defacement. It is believed that by means of the substitution of the 
card index for the volume index fifty percent of the time occupied in consulting the 
correspondence files is saved. 

A sample index card is appended. 

LETTEU INDEX CAUD. 

Goodwin, C. J., Denver, Colo. 


901 


States that borings will soon be commenced for artesian water. 
Eemarks: 


Letters received arc immediately briefed and entered in a book kept for the ]mr- 
pose (a sample leaf of which is appended), which thus forms a chronologic record of 
the incoming correspondence. They are then filed or referred, as the case may be, 
and the index card is prejiared ; and if the letter is referred, the brief and reference 
inscription are ])ress-coi)ied. Letters referred, or otherwise allowed to pass out of the 
division in which they belong, are charged in pencil on the index cards to the per¬ 
son receiving thmn, and on their return this charge is exi)unged. 

At the end of the year the letters are removed from the temporary files in which 
current correspondence is kept, and are bound; and the card index is type-written 
and also bound. 

UOOK OF LETTEBS RECEIVED. 


Date received 
and file number. 

Name and address 
of writer. 

Date and pui-port of letter. 

Eoference or action. 

July 3. 

White, James- 

Bridgeport, Conn., July 1,1887. (Sends 
sample rock for analysis.) 

Beferred to Diller. 



Letters sent are coramouly prepared by the Director of the Survey, or under his im¬ 
mediate direction ; but they are occasionally prepared by other officers of the Survey. 
All are suitably initialed, and, after examination by the chief clerk, are signed by 
that officer or by the Director, as the case may be. They are then press-copied anil 
subse(|uently transcribed in permanent ink in a book of letters sent. A sample leaf 
of this book is appended : 


HOOK OF LETTEKS SENT. 


9371 


Washington, D. C., Aug. 1,1887. 

Mr. Lawrence Johnson. 

Z7. S. Geol. Survey, Tuscaloosa, Ala.: 

I scud you berewitb report of aualysis made upon your roque.st of July lOtb. 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

a a 


The correspondence carried on in the library is of special character, relating ex¬ 
clusively to documents and library matters; and in the interests of economy author¬ 
ity has been obtained from the Secretary of the Interior to so far modify the corre¬ 
spondence system of the Department as to merge it into the document and library 
systems already described. 


























THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


4G7 


As each letter is received there is imprinted upon it a stamp hearing the date and 
spaces for recording the date of answer and the disposition made of tlie letter; 
and the name of the author is clearly written at the head of the sheet. The letters 
thus stamped are treated as indes-cards, and arranged in file cases provided for the 
purpose, from which they are removed at the end of the year for binding or preserva¬ 
tion in portfolios. The letters sent are press-copied, and the substance of the letter 
is transcribed upon a card ; and these cards are arranged alphabetically and chrono¬ 
logically in cases provided for the purpose. A sample card is appended : 

LlBRAllY COKUESPONDENCE CARD. 

Lawson, lion. John A., United States Senate, Washington, D. C. 


1885. 

June 9 .... 


Inform you that a cojty each of the Second and Third Annual Reports of the i 
Survey have been sent to W. W. Austin, Rockton, 111. I 38-285 


A large part of the correspondence of the library is of such character as to permit of 
the use of blank forms. A number of these, which are self-explanatory, are apjiended: 


LETTERS USED IN LIBRARY CORRESPONDENCE. 


Department of the Interior, 

« IlNiTBD States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., June 10th, 1887. 

Sir: The work mentioned by you in your letter of June 6th is not published by the D. S. Geological 
Survey. Apidicatiou for the same should be made to U. S. Department of Agriculture, division of 
ICntomology. 

By order of the Director: 

JAT^IES C. PILLIiTG, 

Chief Clerk. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., July Urd, 1886. 

The work referred to in your letter of July 1st will be sent to you on receipt of $12.00. 

There are no copies for gratuitous distribution. 

By order of the Director: 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Aug. 3, 1887. 

Dear Sir : In answer to your application for “ The Mineral Resources of the United States, ” I beg 
to inform you that a copy will be sent to you on receipt of the price, fifty cents. 

By ordei- of the Director: ^ PILLINO, 

Chief Clerk. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, -D. C., May lOth, 1887. 

Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., 

rublishers. 

New York, Y. N.: 

Gentlemen : The U. S. Geological Survey has failed to receive the numbers of the serial pnbliahed 

bv you indicated on the adjoining leaf. 

If you will kindly foi’ward the missing numbers, and thereby enable us to comidcte and bind the 
volumes of which they form part, you will niucli oblige the Survey. 

By order of the Diiector: 

Yours, respectfully, JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

[On following sheet:] Vol. xxxi. No. 3. Popular Science Monthly. (Jul.) 










468 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Aug. 10th, 1887. 

Sir: Tour letter of theTtb, requesting-is receiv(*d, and has been forwarded to the lion 

the Secretary of the Interior, by whom said publicat on is distributed. 

By order of the Director; 

Very respectfully, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

To C. M. Belle w. 

Grasslands, Wyoming. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washmgton, U. C., January 1, 1886. 

Sir: Having found it necessary to revise the list of institutions and individuals to whom the publi¬ 
cations of this office have hitherto been sent. I have the honor to request you to fill in the particulars 
required by the form attached hereto, and return it to me at your earliest convenience. 

'llie new list will be compiled from the replies received to this circular, and where no reply is re¬ 
ceived it will be taken as an indication that none of the future publications of the Survey are 
wanted. 

I have the honor to be. 

Yours, with respect, 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director United States Geological Survey. 


[On following sheet.] 


To the Director of the 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C.: 


Date: 


Sir : Please enter the address given below on the exch ange list of your office for future issues of its 
publications: 

Name:- 

Permanent address:- 

City or town : - 

State or country: - 

The above-namen institution or individual has forwarded to the United States Geological Survey 
from time to time as issued, the following, viz:- 


All official communications should be addressed to the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Aug. V6th, 1887. 

To C. J. Blumenberg, 

Pittsburg, Pa.: 

Sir : In response to your letter of Aug. 3id, asking that Fifth Annual Report U. S. G. S. be sent to 
your address, I regret to inform you that our supply of that work is entirelj' exhausted. 

By order of the Director: 

Tours, respectfully, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Department of the Interior, 


United States Geological Survey. 

To the Reviewer : 

It is requested as a special favor that a copy of the issue containing yor.r notice of this book be 
mailed to the 


DIRECTOR, U. S. GE:0L0GICAL SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. C. 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


By order of the Director. 














THE DEPARTMENT OF THE iNTERtOE. 


4G9 


Department op the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

ashington, Axig.'d, 1887. 

To E. M. Bailey, 

London, Ontario, Canada : 

Sir: I take pleasure in sending yMi by mail one copy each of tbc 3rd, 4tb, and 5tb Annual Reports. 
Please fill out the inclosed recei pt and return it to t he Dii ector of the United States Geological 
Survey, Washington, D. C. 

By order of the Director. 

Yours, respectfully, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


To J. B. Rich, 

New York, N. T.: 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, Aug. Slsf, 1887. 


Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge, for the library of the United States Geological Survey, tho 
receipt of pamphlet No. 3, Proceedings National xVcademy of Dental Science, August, 1886, to August' 
1887, and to thank you most cordially for the same. 

By order of the Director. 

I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Aug. 1st, 1887. 

Hon. A. L. Mangault, 

Davenport, Iowa : 

Sir: The library of the United States Geological Survey is now established on a permanent basis; 
and it is the purpose to make it, as nearly complete as possible, so as to meet the wants of the mem¬ 
bers of tho Survey and the working geologists of the country. 

Although it is the residuary legatee of the previous geological surveys, it has not profited much by 
their accumulations, and sufi'ers from the opinion entertained in many quarters that back sets of peri¬ 
odical publications are already on its shelves. 

At the iiresent time it is especially desirable to secure complete seta of European serials relating to 
geology and cognate subjects, but many independently published monographs and other papers are 
also needed. 

The Survey has now commenced three series of publications, viz: reports, monographs, and bulle¬ 
tins. A list of those completed and of such as are in course of preparation will bo found on the in¬ 
closed circular. 

By act of Congress, the monographs and bulletins can be procured only by exchange or purchase, 
and the reports also can be procured in the same manner. 

The Director of the Survey will be pleased to place any society, geological survey, or other institu¬ 
tion issuing works relating to geology and kindred subjects, upou its permanent list, to which all of its 
publications will be sent in return for tho like favor from such society, survey, or other institution. 
It is also deemed desirable to make exchanges with individuals. 

The Director will be pleased to be informed if the proposed exchange meets with your approval. 

I am, yours, with respect, 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., June 3rd, 1887. 

E, P. Huffy, 

San Francisco, Gala.: 

Sir: In response to jour letter of June 1st, I beg to refer you to the inclosed circular regarding the 
monographs of this Survey. 

By order of the Director. 

Yours, respectfully, 

JAMES C. PILLING. 

Chief Clerk. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Sep. 5th, 1887. 


J. C. Goode, 

Yreka, Gala.: 

Sir: In compliance with your request of the 30th ult., I send you by mail to-day 6th Annual Report 
XJ S G S 

Please fill out tho inclosed receij t and return it, post paid, to the Director of the U. S. Geological 


Survey, Washington, D. C. 
By order ot the Director. 
Yours, respeectfully. 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk 






470 THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 

All official coninmuicatioiis should be addressed to the Director of the U. S. Geological Sxirvey. 


DEPAUTMENT of TJIE iNTElilOK, 

United States Geological Sukvey, 

Washington, D. G., Oct. 11th, 1887. 

To C. D. Dawes, 

Gaithersburg, Md.: 

I have the honor to inform you that it is now Wjree months since we sent to your address, as given 
above, a package containing publications of the United States Geological Survey, and that we hold no 
acknowledgment from you therefor. 

The statute under which these publications are issued will forbid any further sending until we re¬ 
ceive your receipt for books already sent, or your i)ublicatioDS in exchange. 

We shall be grateful for a speedy reply, and for any suggestions you may make with regard to the 
address or mode ot transmission. 

Yours, with respect, 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


Address all letters and parcels to the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey'. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Suuvby, 

Washington, D. O., Jan'y 3rd, 1887. 

To C. C. Wilson, 

Hyattsville, England. 

I have the honor to inform you that it is now three months since we sent through the Smithsonian 
Institution to your address, as given above, one package containing publications of the United States 
Geological Suiwey, and that we hold no acknowledgment from you therel'or. 

The statute under which these publications are issued will I'orbid an.y fui ther sending until we re¬ 
ceive your receipt for books already sent, or your publications in exchange. 

We shall be grateful for a speedy reply, and for any suggestions you may make with regard to the 
address or the mode of transmission. 

Yours, vrith respect, 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


Department of the Interior. 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. C., Feh'y Ath, 1886. 

B. W. Milton, 

Chester, Pa.: 

Sir: Your letter of the Ist inst., requesting a copy of Deport of the Bureau of Education, is 
received, and your address, together with a request that the work may bo sent to you, has been 
forwarded to the honorable the Secretary of the Interior, by whom this ijublication is distiibuted. 
By order of the Director. 

Very respectfully, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk 


THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM. 

The administrative authority vested in and the responsibility Rome by the Director 
are either expressed or implied in the organic law of the Survey, or else clearly indi¬ 
cated by the general laws, customs, and regulations relating to the administrative 
afiairs of the Federal Government. The manner in which the administrative function 
is exercised and in which responsibility is met has been sufficiently set forth in pre¬ 
ceding paragraphs. 

The directions in which and the extent to which administrative authority is dele¬ 
gated and resiionsibility transferred in the scientific and business branches of the 
Survey have been shown in detail in the description of the business systems of the 
Survey. As set forth therein, large authority is delegated in the scientific branch of 
the Survey; and responsibility is secured through the method of allotments under 
which the officers in charge a-ssume responsibility, not only to the Director but also to 
the scientific public, for the work yierformed in their divisions. In thenon-scientific 
branches, on the other hand, anthorty is not delegated except so far as is essential to 
the successful performance of the work of the Survey, and responsibility is secured 
through a system of regulations, by which disbursing oflicers are bonded, by Avhich 
records and accounts are systematically kept, by which individual responsibility for 
all fiscal transactions is shown by documentary evidence, and by which the responsi¬ 
bility for all property in the control of the Survey is similarly fixed. 

Certain important administrative duties grow out of these methods and regulations, 
foremost among which is that of securing the observation of>the methods and regu¬ 
lations adopted throughout the organization. Practical considerations have necessi¬ 
tated the division of this and related duties into (1) those which are necessarily per- 



THE DEPARTMENT OF TITE INTERIOR. 


471 


forinod l)y tlie Director in person, and (2) those which, while performed under the 
immediate supervision of the Director, may yet he delegated to a trustworthy otlicer. 

(1) Excellence of scientific work is secured in the first place by puhlishiug the re¬ 
sults thereof under the names of the authors, who thereby assume responsibility not 
only to the Survey but to the scientific public for their work, and secondly, by care¬ 
ful examination and discussion, and when necessary thorough revision, of the re¬ 
ports prepared for i)ublicatiou. The Director assumes a limited responsibility to the 
scientific world for the excellence of the work performed in the Survey—a responsi¬ 
bility equaled in weight and in importance to the country only by his financial respon¬ 
sibility, and it is therefore incumbent upon him to personally determine the quality 
of all material published by the Survey. This duty cannot be delegated except in a 
limited degree. 

In order that the adoption of bad or extravagant methods and unwise policies may 
bo prevented, it is necessary that the Director shall be constantly informed of the 
progress of the work of the Survey in every part of the country. Accordingly, chiefs 
of divisions are required to submit detailed monthly reports of operations, with such 
statements of plans and purposes as may be required to indicate the character of 
prospective operations. For like reasons chiefs of divisions are required to present 
plans and estimates for the ensuing year toward the end of each fiscal year, and use 
is made of these statements in preparing the general plan of operations for the Sur¬ 
vey for each year. It is for the same reasons, too, that the administrative reports of 
chiefs of divisions are prepared annually. By all of these means the Director is en¬ 
abled to determine <at any time the precise condition of the work in all parts of the 
country, to plan for extension or contraction in different areas, to modify methods, 
and to adjust means to ends in such manner as to produce the best results to the 
Survey and to the country at large. 

A circular letter relating to monthly reports of progress has been prepared. A 
copy is appended: 


REQUEST FOR MONTHLY REPORT. 


Official corainiinicatioDS sboiikl be addressed to tbe Director of tbo D. S. Geological Survey. 

Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington^ D. O., 2Larch 1, 1887. 

D. 0. Dae, 

Meridian, Miss. : 

Sir: Tour attention is called to tbe following extract from tbe Eegulations of tbe U. S. Geological 
Survey: 

“It is important tbat tbo Director sboubl be constantly informed of tbe progress of tbe Survey in 
all its departments in field and in office. For this purpose a monthly report is required from tbe chief 
of eacli division and from the bead of each independent party. The report should be made at tbe end 
of tbe month, and should clearly but briefly explain the operations of that month. 

“The chief of <a division should require bis assistants in charge of sub-parties to make their monthly 
reports pr omptly, that they may be incorporated in the report of the division.” 

In addition to this a monthly statement made to the Secretary of the Interior by the Director is 
based upon these reports; therefore they should be forwarded promptly upon the close of the month. 
Your report for February, 1887, has not been received. 

By order of the Director. 

Very respectfully, 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Cleric. 


Ill order that the general public may be kept advised of the general progress of the 
Survey, the Director digests and summarizes the monthly reports of chiefs of divis¬ 
ions, and promptly submits the summaries to the Secretary of the Interior for such 
use as he may see fit to make of them. It is for the same reason that an ann ual report of 
operations, including the administrative reports of the chiefs of divisions, is made to 
the Secretary of the Interior and by him submitted to Congress. 

The financial responsibility of the Director is large, and has not only led to the de¬ 
velopment of the fiscal system of the Survey, but renders it necessary that he shall 
])ersonally examine the records of all fiscal transactions and satisfy himself as to the 
necessity and integrity of each in the manner described in an earlier part of this re- 
port. 

The library is an es.sential part of the machinery of the Survey, and upon its com¬ 
pleteness the efficiency of the scientific work is in a measure dependent. It is desira¬ 
ble, however, that the expenditure of funds for the purchase of books shall bo re¬ 
duced to a minimum ; and it is therefore important that the system of exchanges be 
rendered as complete as possible. Accordingly, the Director gives personal attention 
to all matters concerning the growth of the library,including orders for purchases and 
additions to the exchange list. 

The expense of illustrating and ])ublishing the reports of the Surv^ey is large, and 
much thought has been given to this suliject with the object of reducing both the 




472 


TtlE DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR. 


cost of illustrations and the cost of publication as far as is consistent with satis¬ 
factory presentation of the results of the work. Plans for securing these ends have 
been developed, as already indicated; but special questions arise in connection with 
nearly everj’^ publication, and it is important that they shall be carefully considered. 
All such questions are submitted by the chief of the illustrations division to the Di¬ 
rector, who thus gives personal attention to all essential matters pertaining to illus¬ 
trations ; and all business with the Public Printer is transacted by him in person. 

One of the results of the division of labor extending throughout tbe Survey is that 
collaborators frequently find it necessary to call upon other specialists for assistance 
in their investigations. For example, the geologist may need to have certain fossils 
identified, certain rocks, minerals, or soils analyzed, certain ores assayed, or certain 
rocks examined microscopically; and sometimes the same geologist may at the same 
time require assistance from several divisions of the Survey, and might, if there were 
no restrictions, absorb the energies of a considerable portion of the Survey force, to 
the detriment of its general progress. It is necessary to prevent undue concentration, 
to properly distribute the energies of the Survey in the most desirable channels, and 
to keep the researches in different directions and the work of the different divisions 
as nearly in line as practicable. To secure this end it is provided that all requisi¬ 
tions for the collaboration of specialists or for the assistance of other divisions shall 
be specifically authorized by the Director. 

Thus the Director supervises not only in general, but also in detail, ail of the sci¬ 
entific operations of the Survey and all of the results of such operations, and in ad¬ 
dition all matters pertaining to the fiscal system of the Survey, to publication and il¬ 
lustration, and to the conduct and growth of the library. 

(2) Onder the organization of the Geological Survey, as affected by the provisions 
of sections 177-179, Revised Statutes, the chief clerk is the second administrative offi¬ 
cer of the institution, and various administrative duties of somewhat less importance 
are delegated to that officer; but they are performed under the general direction and 
constant supervision of the Director, 

In the principal office of the Survey at Washington, there are employed in the 
work of the Survey from 70 persons in summer, to 225 persons in winter, in a building 
of 78 rooms on five floors; and it is necessary that the best systems of work shall be 
adopted, that the time of all employes shall be advantageously employed, and that 
regulations concerning hours of labor, specific-duties, &c., in accordance with gov¬ 
ernmental usage, shall be made and enforced. Attention to such matters is one of the 
functions of the chief clerk. 

The time records of the different divisions are supervised by the chief clerk. Re¬ 
quests of employes to be excused from duty during office hours are acted upon by 
him ; requisitions for leave of absence, which are made to the Secretary of the Inte¬ 
rior, also pass through his hands, and the leave to which the applicant is entitled is 
decided by him; and the weekly time reports, which are kept in G.e different office 
divisions, are submitted to him. There is a blank form used for requests for tempo¬ 
rary absence from duty, a series of forms Uvsed in connection with leaves of absence, 
and a form for the weeMy time report, copies of which are appended. 


REQUEST FOR EXCUSE FROM DUTY. 




o 

..«2 

on 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Sep. loth, 1887 . 

J. M. Shuster desires to he excuse-i from duty for three hours this day. 

Recommended; 

ARNOLD HAGUE, 


Chief of Division. 



I'liE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTEPJOR. 


473 


REQUEST FOU LEAVE OF ABSENCE. 

I The number of days to which an applicant is entitled must be certified to by the proper olficor or 
pt rson designated for that purpose.] 

Department op the Interior. 

U. S. Geolooical Survey, 

,,, „ , Washington, June 1887. 

1 HE Secretary of the Interior : 

Sir; I have the honor to request a leave of absence for the period of ten days, to date from and 
including the Cth day of June, 1887. 

I have been absent since January 1st of this year, as follows: 

-days annual leave. 

-days sick leave (certificate of physician furnished). 

-days excused. 

-days without pay 

(Sign full name, with Miss or Mrs., if a lady:) 

(Grade and salary:) 

Entitled to 30 days. 

J. C. Pilling. 

[Indorsement.] 


R. M. OSBORNE. 

Clerk, $1,000. 


Department of the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 

June \st, 1887. 


H. GARRETT, 

Geologist. 

J. AV. POWELL, 

Director. 


R. M. Osborne applies for leave of absence for ten d.ays from June Cth. 

Respectfully recommended: 

Re.spect fully forwarded, apiiroved for ten days. 

Department of the Interior. 

Leave for-days granted,-, 188-, and Director so informed. 

notice of granting of leave. 

Department of the Interior, 

U. S. Geological Survey, 

Office of Director, 
Washington, JuneAth, 1887. 

Mr. R. M. Osborne, 

Geo'I Survey: 

The Secretary of the Interior has granted you leave of absence for ton days, beginning June Cth, 
1887, and ending June 15th, 1887, both days inclusive. 

On your return to duty please note below the day and hour you report at your desk, and return this 
notice to me. 

Respectfully, &c., 

J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 

, Returned to duty June 15th, 1887, 9 a. m, 

(Sign;) R. M. OSBORNE. 

* WEEKLY TIME REPORT. 


DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE. 

Time report of editorial division, for the weeJc ending July 9 , 1887 . 


Names of employes. 

Monday. 

Tuesday. 

Wednesday. 

Thursday. 

Friday. 

Saturday. 

Remarks. 

Arrived. 

1 Departed. 

j Absent. 

1 Arrived. | 

Departed. 

j Absent. | 

Arrived. 

Departed. 

Absent. 

1 Arrived. 

1 Departed. 

Absent. 

1 Arrived. 

1 Departed. 

4^ 

(D 

rO 

1 Arrived. 

1 Departed. 

1 Absent. 

W. F. Robinson- 

9 

4 


9 

4 


9 

4 


9 

4 


Si 

ck. 

1 

9 

4 


Certificate at- 




















tached. 

W. D. Jones. 

9 

4 

... 

9 

4 

... 

9 

4 

.... 

9 

4 

... - 

9 

4 

... 

9 

4 

... 


A. M. Smith. 

9 

4 

... 

9 

4 

— 

9 

4 


9 

4 

.... 

9 

4 




1 

Excused. 


The above statement is, in my opinion, correct. 

To the Chief Clerk, Geological Survey OJJice. 

[Indorsement.] 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OFFICE. 


THOMAS HAMPSON, In charge. 


TIME REPORT OF THE EDITORIAL DIVISION. 

For loeek ending July 9, 1887. 

THOMAS HAMPSON, In charge. 










































474 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 


There is also a form for recordiiii^ absences of employes, aufl another form is nsed 
in i)reparing a monthly report of absentees. Copies of tliese forms are appended; 

HEPOJJT OF AI3SEN<^3 


J. Doe, J ifjiist, 1887 


Date. 

Annual. 

i 

Sick. 

Excused. 

Election. 

Other. 

' ^ 1 

Without 

leave. 

j Without 

1 pay. 

Remarks. 

August. 

1 

3 

9 

0 

0 

2 

5 



MONTHLY REPORT OF AHSENTEE8. 


Names. 

Office. 

Annual. 

Sick. 

Excused. 

Election. 

Other. 

With out 

leave. 

Without 

pay. 

C. E. Gooflwiii- _ 

Permanent. 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

M. J. Ellick. 

Temporary. 

1 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 


Names. 

January. 

j February. 

March. 

1 

April. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

August. 

September. 

October. 

November. 

December. 

Total. 

Remarks. 

C. E. Goodwin. 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 


M. J. Ellick. 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 



The personnel of the Snrvey is considerable, and the employes are widely diverse in 
grade, and come from all portions of the country. It is desirable to have a personal 
record of each employ6, and such record is kept under the supervision of the chief 
clerk, upon alphabetically-arranged cards provided for the purpose, a sample of which 
is ai^pended: 

RECORU OF EMPLOYES. 

Name: J. L. Lawdre. Position: copyist. 

Salaiy: per annum $600; per mo.-; per day $-. 

Whence appointed: Georgia. 

Original appointment by Sec’y Int., dated Aug. Ist, to take effect Aug. 1st. 

Present appointment by Sec’y Int., dated Aug. 1st, to take effect Aug. 1st. 

Oath dated Aug. 1st, 1887. 

Where born: Atlanta, Georgia. 

Legal residence: State, Georgia; Atlanta, town, 3rd dist. 

As.signment: 188 

Ilecoiumended by Hon. Wilkinson Wilkins and J. M. Bar, esq. 

Kemarks: » 

Large quantities of stationery and considerable office furniture, &c., are necessarily 
used in carrying on the work of the Survey. As already stated, it is an implied term 
in the contract of anemployd of the Government in Washington that he shall be sup¬ 
plied with necessary furniture, stationery, &c.; but in order that waste may be pre¬ 
vented it is necessary that requisitions for such property shall be carefully scrutinized 
by an administrative officer, and only indorsed after it has been found that the prop¬ 
erty is actually required. It is accordingly provided that all requisitions for office 
furniture, stationery, drawing instruments and materials, laboratory apparatus and 
materials, &c , shall i>ass through the hands of the chief clerk, and shall receive his 
indorsement before being honored. 

In addition to the instruments, &c., required for the use of the geographic division, 
a large amount of miscellaneous property is necessarily jmrchased for the use of the 
different geologic and topographic i)ai ties in different portions of the country. A por¬ 
tion of this property can be mo.st advantageously acquired in the field, but a consider¬ 
able portion c.iu be more economically pnrchastMl in Washington and shipped to the 
points at which the parties outfit; and there is an incidental advantage in making pnr- 






































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


475 


clnises ill Washington, in that the keeping of property records and accounts with allot¬ 
ments is thereby facilitated. In the outtitting of each party, therefore, it is desirable 
to consider carefully the relative economy of purchase in the held, and of purchase in 
Washington, which involves the payment of costs of transportation. This difficult duty 
is delegated to the chief clerk, and all requisitions for miscellaneous property required 
in the outhtting of parties pass through his hands, and the best method of making 
purchases is decided by him. 

As already shown, largo use is made of photographs, sketches, &c., both for work¬ 
ing purposes and for purposes of illustration ; and large number of maps are mounted, 
both for the use of the librarj", and for the use of geologists and topographers em¬ 
ployed in the held. In these x^i’ocesses time and materials are consumed, and it is 
desirable that such consumiition shall be reduced to a minimum by reducing the use 
of such jihotographs and maps as far as is consistent with the satisfactory execution 
of the work of the Survey. Accordingly, it is jn-ovided that such work shall be done 
on requisition, and these requisitions iiass through the hands of the chief clerk who 
satishes himself as to the necessity for the work before affixing his signature. 

Certain laboratory materials— e. g., the chemicals used in photographic work—are 
expensive when purchased in small quantities, and can be advantageously obtained 
only in large quantities. It is the xiolicy to make careful estimates in advance of the 
quantity of such materials required for periods of a month or more, and to purchase in 
quantity. To facilitate this, blanks have been xirepared, upon which sjiecific requisi¬ 
tions for such materials are made. A cojiy of the blank is attached. 


REQUISITION FOR rilOTOGRAPHIC SUPPLIES. 


Department op the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, August 1, 1887. 

To the Director U. S. Geological Survey : 

Sir : I would respectfully request that there ho furnished, for the use of the photographic labora¬ 
tory, the following supplies: 


Quantity. 


One pound 
One pound 


I 


Articles. 


Ci 

O 


a 


Quantity. 


Articles. 


a 

pi 

o 


a 


Acid, acetic,No.8.per lb.. 

glacial.per lb.. 

nitric C.P.per lb.. 

commer¬ 
cial... per gal.. 

muriatic.per lb.. 

oxalic.per lb.. 

pyrogallic.per lb.. 

Glycerine.per oz.. 


$3 00 
0 30 

I 


Iron, citrate of, and 

ammonia.peroz.. 

Iron protosulph.per lb.. 

sulph. and am¬ 
monia.peroz.. 

Iodine, cryst, resub¬ 
limed .per oz.. 

Mercury, bi-chloride, .per oz.. 
Paraffine...per lb.. 


[33 other articles are included in original table. 1 
Very respectfully. 


A j) proved: 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Ghi(if Cleric. 


J. K. HILLERS, 

Photographer, 


As already stated, requisitions for the collaboration of specialists in the scientific 
work of the Survey are considered by the Director in person ; but requisitions for non- 
scientific collaboration are generally considered by the chief clerk. Thus, requisitions 
for photographic w'ork and map-mounting, requisitions for repairs of furniture by the 
carpenter’ employed in the Survey office, requisitions for repairs of instruments by 
the mechanician, and requisitions upon the petrographic laboratory for the prepa¬ 
ration of microscopic slides, &.C., are acted upon by the chief clerk. The forms of 
requisition for the last two purposes are appended: 


requisition upon rETROGRAnilC LABORATORY. 


No. 31,1 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

July 27,1887. 


J. S. Diller, Assistant Geologist in charge Petrographic Laboratory : 
Plea.se furnish to this office for G. E. Mills sections of rock herewith. 


JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


Received August 3, 1887. 


G.E. MILLS. 




















































47C 


THE department OE THE iNTERtOR. 


REQUISITION UPON MECHANICIAN. 

U, S. Geological Survey, 

Division of Geography, 

May 3, 1887. 

Mechanician U. S. Geological Survey : 

Please make repairs to instrument as follows : Repair upper vernier 

Chief Geographer 

The correspondence of the Survey is large, and, as already set forth, is carried < a 
in three divisions; and it is consequently necessary that all correspondence shall be 
properly assigned. For this reason, all passes through the hands of the chief clerk, 
who has general oversight of the correspondence wherever carried on, and inspects 
all letters, &c., before they are submitted to the Director for signature. 

In the exercise of his general oversight of the business affairs and personnel of 
the general office, the chief clerk becomes personally acquainted with all employes, J: 
and in his discretion issues passes for admission into the building alter office hours, i 
introductions to the librarians of other governmental Bureaus, &c. The forms used 
for these purposes are appended: 

PASS. 


Department of the Interior, 

United States Geological Survey, 

Washington, D. O., July 1, 1887. 

The doorkeeper will admit Mr. James Stevens after office hours, from date to September 30,1887. 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 

introduction. 

Department of the Interior, 

Geological Survey Office, May 10, 1887. 

JAMES C. PILLING, 

Chief Clerk. 


The same officer exercises supervision over the property returns and all other mat¬ 
ters pertaining to the custodial system, aud over the editorial, illustrations, document, 
and library systems, except as otherwise indicated above, and in general co-ordi¬ 
nates and distributes the energies of the business branch of the Survey. 

The A^aried, as well as arduous and important duties attaching to the office of chief 
clerk are performed in an eminently satisfactory manner by Mr. James C. Pilling. 


Mr, Edward M. Mills is a clerk in this Bureau. 
To the Librarian. 


THE SURVEY REGULATIONS. 

To facilitate the transaction of business by employes of the Survey, in accordance 
with the principles and methods set forth in the preceding paragraphs, the “ Eegu- 
lations” of the Survey were codified and printed, in 1882, in a bound volume of fifty- 
two pages. This volume contains (1) the organic law of the Survey, with instruc¬ 
tions relating to its provisions; (2) instructions relating to money and property, com¬ 
prising schedules aud authorized expenditures for services, transportation, field sub¬ 
sistence and suiiplies, instruments, laboratory and photograjihic material, stationery, 
drawing material, office furniture, &c., with various necessary instructions to dis¬ 
bursing agents aud custodians of property ; (3) instructions refating to bonded rail¬ 
roads and the transportion of both individuals and property ; (4) instructions relat¬ 
ing to the collection of specimens, &c.; (5) instructions relating to publications; and 
(G) miscellaneous instructions. Whenever necessary, these instructions are illus¬ 
trated and the methods are exemplified by the reproduction of the blank forms em¬ 
ployed, properly filled out. Copies of this volume are placed in the hands of chiefs 
of divisions and parties. 

SUMMARY. 


It will be vseen from the preceding statement that three principal requirements are 
constantly recognized in the organization and policy of the Geological Survey. 

The first requirement is that the work of the Survey shall be performed in the most 
efficient manner. It is s<)ught to meet this requirement by securing the collaboration 
of the most eminent specialists in geology and cognate branches of science and the 
most thoroughly skilled topographers and assistants of various grades to be found 
within the country, by the application of the principle of the division of labor to Ihe 
fullest possible extent, by reducing to a minimum the routine aud administrative 





THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 477 


work necessarily performed by tlie scientific collaborators, and by the adoption of a 
convenient library system. 

The second requirement is that the results of the work of the Survey shall be ren¬ 
dered accessible and valuable to the general public. This end is attained in part 
by intelligent legislation relating to publicatiou and the enactment by Congress of 
wise laws governing the disposition of the publications of the Survey ; but in part it 
is sought to be attained by the exercise of care in the preparation and detailed revis¬ 
ion of reports, by the extended use of graphic illustrations and such reduction of ex- 
j)ense8 in the production of illustrations as to permit of their wide application, and b}?^ 
the adoption of a carefully devised document system. 

The third requirement is that the most rigid economy consistent with the primary 
functions of the Survey shall be exercised. It is believed that this requirement is 
fairly met by the custodial, fiscal, stationery, and related business systems, by the ap¬ 
plication of new and economic methods in the illustration system, by the constant di¬ 
vision of labor, by the method of allotments to responsible collaborators for stated 
juirposes, and by the application in every division of the Survey of the principles (1) 
of fixing the responsibility by documentary evidence and (:^) of rendering the docu¬ 
mentary responsibility coincident with the actual responsibility. 

For reasons already mentioned the personal organization of the branch of the Sur¬ 
vey devoted to the transaction of business is less definite than the differentiation of 
function; different lines of the work are sometimes performed in the same division, 
and the same class of work is sometimes divided between two or more divisions; and 
in so far as has been found to be expedient the business operations of the Survey are 
performed by the scientific collaborators. Moreover, certain divisions of the Survey, 
e. g., the library, are organized for the performance of duties which are semi-scientific 
in character, and these divisions accordingly may be referred with almost equal pro¬ 
priety to the scientific or to the business branch of the organization. This explana¬ 
tion is necessary to a complete understanding of the acompanying schedule showing 
the business organization of the Survey. 


Schedule of Business Organization. 

Chief clerk. 

Division of disbursements and accounts. 

Custodian of property. 

Division of library and documents. 

Division of illustrations. 

Photographic laboratory ..1. 

Editorial and miscellaneous division. 

Section of stationery.. 


• James C. Pilling. 
J. D. McChesney. 
J. E. Allen. 

. C. C. Darwin. 

W. H. Holmes. 

J. K. Hillers. 

. Thomas Hampson. 
. L. S. Meador. 


THE BUSINESS TRANSACTED. 

CLASSIFICATION OF OPERATIONS. 

As set forth in some detail in another part of this statement, there are three classes 
of operations carried on by the Geological Survey which are distinct in grade, dis¬ 
tinct in principle, distinct in methods, and distinct in results. 

The first of these is the work of purely scientific research carried on in most of 
the geologic and paleoutologic divisions, and carried on in a measure in the geo¬ 
graphic, the chemic, and several other divisions. This work is original and creative, 
and requires ahility and judgment of a high order; it is pursued con amove; its 
methods cannot be antecedently planned except in the most general way, but must 
be developed as the researches progress; and its results are not susceptible of quanti¬ 
tative measurement in commonly recognized units. 

There is another class of work involved in the financial and commercial operations 
growing out of the scientific operations of the Survey. This work stands upon the 
same footing as financial, commercial, and departmental operations generally ; it 
affords more or less remunerative vocations to those engaged in it; it is antecedently 
planned in accordance with principles and methods that have been found by long 
experience in various business pursuits to be satisfactory, audit is executed in ac¬ 
cordance with these pre-arranged plans; and its results are susceptible of quan¬ 
titative measurement in units commonly recognized by the business man. 

There is still another class of work performed in the Survey, in the geographic division, 
in the chemic division, and in some of the accessory divisions, which is intermediate 
between the foregoing classes. It is in part work of applied science, but in a measure 
requires original research and therefore creative ability and independent judgment; 
it is sometimes pursued because it affords agreeable and remunerative vocations, but 
it is pursued con amove by many because of the stimulus afforded in its pursuit by 










478 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


discovery and oouscioiis extension of the bounds of hiirnan knowledge ; it may be ante¬ 
cedently planned, but the plans and methods require more or less modification with 
increase of knowledge ; and its results may be quantitatively measured, but in terms 
recognized only by specialists. 

The results of these three classes of operations must be presented independently and 
in different ways. 

It has b'^en shown also that there is a combination of function running through the 
different scientilic and business divisions of the Survey whereby certain business is 
transacted by the scientific employds, while those employes are relieved of certain 
other duties naturally connected with scientific work, and whereby business of similar 
character is sometimes shared by different divisions while the same division sometimes 
performs difterent classes of duties. The extent to which differentiation of labor 
can be advantageously carried in an organization depends upon its size as well as upon 
a variety of other conditions ; and it has been the constant aim to so differentiate and 
combine functions in the Geological Survey as to secure the most economic and other¬ 
wise advantageous administration. Accordingly it is impracticable to tabulate fully 
the different classes of operations performed in the Survey for any consid erable period ; 
for not only are the classes so diverse that the terms are necessarily different, but the 
greatest diversity of operations is sometimes found within a single division. For the 
same reason it is impossible to classify the operations of the Survey by the divisions in 
which they are performed except in a somewhat arbitrary manner. 

The following statements of work performed in the accessory divisions and in the 
divisions organized for the transaction of business can therefore be regarded only as 
representative, and cannot be considered to include more than a fraction of the busi¬ 
ness actually transacted in the institution. 

THE WORK IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 

Ever since the Geological Survey was entrusted to the present Director, the fact has 
been recognized that scientilic investigation can only be planned in a general way 
and cannot be ([uautitatively measured; it was for this reason that the policy was 
adopted of selecting eminent spetualists in science who pursue investigation for its 
own sake and for the sake of scientific reputation; it was for the same reason that 
the method of allotments (described in another part of this statement) was devised, 
under which specialists are given the highest incentive to accomplish maximum re¬ 
sults with a minimum expenditure; it is for the same reason that all publications 
made by the Survey are issued under the names of their authors, who thus assume re¬ 
sponsibility before the scientilic world for the excellence of their work and receive 
credit for that work in so far as it is creditable; and it is chielly for the same 
reason that the monthly reports of the chiefs of divisions are submitted to the Secre¬ 
tary of the Interior for such use as he may see fit to make of them, and that the ad¬ 
ministrative reports of the same officers are published in full in the annual reports of 
the Survey. 

It is not easy to measure scientific work; its results cannot be tabulated or reduced 
to figures; quality is of far greater importance than quantity ; but a means of justly 
estimating the amount and character of scientific results attained by the Survey is 
found in tlie monthly and annual reports of scientific operations. 

One of the summary reports of progress which are presented monthly to the Sec¬ 
retary of the Interior, selected at random, is appended : 

MONTHLY REPORT. 


Department of the Interior, 

Uniteu States Geological Survey, 

Washington^ D. O'., April 11, 1887. 

The Hon. the Secretary of the Interior: 

Sir: I have the honor to submit my report of the operations of the Geological Survey for the mouth 
of March, 1887: 


DIVISION of geography. 

With the slight exception referred to belovr no field work was undertaken by tlie Division of Geog- 
rapliy, the entire force continuing, in the office, the reduc tion of tlie field data of last season. ” 

Kortheastern section.—To])og:r.i])he.TS Bodfish, Johnson, and Karl made satisfactory progress in the 
drawing of atlas sheets. Mr. Nat<,er and three assistants were engaged upon the Bost on, Framingham, 
Lawrence, and Lowell sheets. Mr. Natter has so much work in hand that an additional draftsman was 
assigned him by trans)er from tbe Washington olfice. Messrs. Jennings and Pier ce perfonned 10^days’ 
field work. 

New Jersey suh-sectinn. —With the exception of Mr. Vermeule, the topographer in charge, the mem¬ 
bers of the party did no work for, and received no salaries from, the Geoiogical Hiirve y. Mr. Vermeule 
was engaged mainly in closing up the platting of the last season’s field work and in snporiutending 
the topographic work in progress under the auspices of the State survey preirarator y to closing up the 
work remaining to be done by that organization in fullilhuent of its agreement of 1884 with the U. S. 
Geological Survey with relation to joint work. 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


479 


District of Columbia sub-section . —Mr. Howell made satisfactory progress upon tlio niap of the District 
of Cohiinhia. 

In the Appalachian section the woik of coutoiiriug, platting stations and meanders, the dr.awing of 
atlas sheets, &(■., progressed steadily. It is not deemed necessary to give in detail the exact status at 
tlie close of the month of each iudividual branch of the woik. 

Central section —Topograj)lier tJaldwin finished, with the exception of the lettering, the four sheets 
Coinpi'ising the liehl-work of last sea.sou, and is now engaged upon ])artial sheets, the tield-woik of 
which was done mainly in 1885. At the close of the mouth Mr. P&Lers was coutoui'ing the last sheet 
ot his area, and Mr. Perkins was engaged in redrawing the last of the twelve sheets representing the 
area surveyed by him in 1885. 

Western section. —With the exception of that of the Aidzona sub-section the work of the entire section 
was practically completed at the close of the mouth. The Arizona sheets were under way and one ot 
them wms neaily tinished. 

Astronomic and computing section. —The computation of co-ordinates of points located on the crests 
of the Falls of Niagara in 188G has been completed, and also a set of tables made for facilitating the com* 
putation of subterranean tempeiatures and temperature gradients. The theory of the free cooling of 
a homogeneous spheie has been completed, and the formulas have been so arranged that the positions 
of the isogeothei ms can be computed, according to the hypotnesis, for any time and any initial cir- 
cumstance.s. The theory of the conditional cooling of a sphere has been examined, witli the view of 
rendering it useful for the ])urposes of the geologist in determining the distribution of subterranean 
temperatures. Investigations in the theory of elasticity have been continued for the y)urposo of solv¬ 
ing, if ])03.sib!e, vai'ious (piostions concerning elastic deformation of the earth’s crust. A method of 
correcting computed latitudes, lungitules, and azimuths, for a change in tlie adopted spheroid, has 
been devidoped. The usual amount of information upon miscellaneous questions has been furuishe<t 
to other divisions of the Survey. 

Draughting section. —The ilraughtsmeu have been engaged upon the nine-sheet tnap, upon the com¬ 
pilation of atlas sheets in the swamp region of Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Caro¬ 
lina, and upoTi the i)r(‘j)aration of illustrations. 

HectioK of instrumcnis. —The mei hanician has been engaged in making rei>airs to tick! instruments. 


DIVISIONS OF GKOLOtiY. 

Prof. II. Pumpelly, of the division of Archean Geology, was engaged in working up the results of last 
season’s field observations. He reports that the illness of Mr. Pierce, one of bis assistants, iiiteifered 
with the progress of the woik. 

, Atlantic Coast Division. —Prof. N. S. Shaler, geidogist in charge, states that ho was engaged mainly 
i in the pie])aratioii of his repoits on the islands of Nantucket and Mount Desert, the former of which 
' is practiiudly completed and the latter well advance*!; and that he also <liiected his assistants, 
ilessrs. Cobb and llobertson, in their respective Hues of work. Mr. Cobb’s woi k was the preparation 
of sections from the boring made with the diamond drill in the Narragausett coal fields, to which 
reference was made in last month’s report. These sections are now completed, and Profe.s.sor Shaler 
says they lepreseut about 3,000 feet of thickne.ss of strata, which have been delineated with great 
accuracy on a scale sufficiently large to show every feature of the deiiosits. Associated with Mr. 
Robertson, Professor Shaler was engaged in advancing two inquiries which had long been on his 
mind. The first concerns the proporiion of magnetic iron sand in the deposits of the glacial period, 
and the second 'the amount of common salt contained in various specimens or glacial clay wdiich he has 
collected at different heiglus above the present sea level; the object of the latter itrqniry being to 
ascertain whether, from the proportion of .saline matter in our clays, it may not be possible to determine 
whether t hoy were deposited in salt or in fre.sh water. Thus far the results of both lines of inquiry are 
highly encouraging. 

A temporary assist iit has beim employed by Professor Shaler during the past two months in the 
preparation of a bibliography of the literatuio of coast-line iirobloms and inundated lands. 

Appalachian Division. —Mr. G. K. Gilbert, geologist in charge, w'as occupied during the early part 
of the month in studies, connected with the monograph of Lake Bonneville. On the llth he started, 
in company with the Director, on a tour of inspection and reconnaissance, which consumed the 
remainder of the month. Stuilies were made in surface geology in Eastern Tennessee and in Florida, 
and the toiiogi aphic mayis in the former region were examined and criticised. 

Mr. RussMl continued the preparation of his report on the qnatenary history of Slono valley; 
Mr. Willis was chiefly occupied in the projection of structural sections from his lield-uotes of last 
summer, and in the development of method.s of projection for complicated structures ; Mr. Geiger was 
likewise engaged in the projection of structural sections, and Mi-. Darton steadily puisued his biblio- 
grajihic work. 

The operations of the Lake Superior Division, under Prof. R. D. Irving, were in alt respects a continua¬ 
tion of those reported for February. 

Prof. T. C. Chambeilin and assistants, of the Glacial Division, were engaged in office work in the 
elaboration of their several reports, the subjects of which have been stated in former reports. 

Dr. A. O. Deale, of the Montana Division, nearly concluded the collection of statistics of mineral 
waters for 1886. A great deal of letter-writing is involved in tlas work. 

In the Yellowstone Dark division, under Mr. Arnold Hague, office work progressed steadily. The 
work of arranging the data obtained during the last field season is rapidly approaching completion. 
During the month Dr. F. A. Gooch, late a chemist in the Survey, forwarded to Washington a report 
of the results of a number of analyses of water from the Yellowstone Park. The report covers a series 
of analyses made by him under Mr. Hague’s direction. It is quite lengthy, and the final computations 
and tabulations have occupied much of his time since taking the chair of chemistry at Yale. It em 
braces the complete analysis of 41 waters selected from the principal gey.ser basins, hot springs, &c., 
together with a great many data as to methods of separation and determination. M.any of the meth¬ 
ods are quite now, and were devised by Dr. Gooch during the progress of the work. Besides the inter¬ 
est taken bv the public in the mineral compos tion of these important thermal waters, the new line of 
inve.stigation called out by this work will be of the highest interest to science generally, as well as to 

chemivStry. j- 

Anumiierof letters were received by Mr. Hague from people to whom was sent the new map ol 
the Yellowstone Park, referred to in former reports—letters speaking in high terms of the work, and 
expre.ssing a desire to see it widely circulated for the benefit of tourists in the Park. 

In the Colorado Division, Mr. S! F. Emmons was oceupif-.d in the preparation for the press of the 
manuscript for the report on the Ten Mile District, Mr. Eldridge was engaged in making corrections 
of and additions to the topography of the Deuyer map, fi om the data gathered during his recent field 
trip, jireparatory to drawing the geologic outlines upon the same. 



480 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


Mr. Cross busied liimself with the preparation of liis chapters for the Denver and the Silver Clitf 
reports, and at odd moments he examined some remarkable forms of crystallized galena from Idaho. 

In the laboratory, Mr. Eakins made interesting tests of ores and country rocks from Butte, Mont., 
and some Tertiary coal in the nature of jet from the Denver Basin. He also analyzed a remarkable 
series of minerals resulting from the action of eruptive masses on sedimeutai’y beds through which 
they had passed. 

From the Calijornia Division, under Dr. G. F. Becker, the following report is made: Dr. Melville prose¬ 
cuted to completion the study of the material collected bj' him at Sulphur Bank. He also identified a 
number of rocks fiom other sources, including minerals associated with cinnabar. Mr. Turner de¬ 
voted some days to office work, but was engaged for the greater ])art of the month in field observa¬ 
tions. Mr. Lindgren was occupied in classifying and studying the rocks collected last summer, and 
in making observations regarding the association of other minerals with cinnabar. i 

Capt. C. E. Dutton, of the Division of Volcanic Geology, reports steady progress in the collection of 
data bearing upon the Charleston earthtpiake, and in analyzing and preparing the same for final determi¬ 
nation. 

In the petrographic laboratory Mr. J. S. Diller made an optical study, for the chief chemist, of a series , 
of four micas and altered tourmalines; and he also determined a number of lavas and other specimens 
received from various sources. 

The thin sections prepared under his direction for the various divisions of the Survey number 243. 

A number of others were partially completed, and 360 for the Cascade range collection were labeled. 

Mississippi Division. —For the first two weeks of the month Mr. L. C. Johnson was engaged in ob¬ 
servations respecting the economic geology in Lauderdale and Clarke Counties. On the 14th he left 
under orders from this office for Grenada, Winston, and other counties in the north central j)art of the 
State, journeying via Corinth in order to examine some collections there, to arrange for future work in 
Alcorn County, and in order to confer with citizens of the section traversed who are asking attention 
to their respective localities. Work was continued in Grenada and neighboring counties as long as 
was deemed necessary. Industrially, he did not find the prospects as brilliant as the imaginations of 
the people had led them to suppose, but the region was very interesting from a geologic standpoint. 
Iron ore (limonite) of fair quality exists in that part of the State convenient to the Illinois Central 
Bailroad. At the date of making his report his time in Winston County had been too short to enable , 
him to give definite results. Geologically it is known to be very interesting. 

DIVISIONS OF PALEONTOLOGY. 

Prof. O. C. Marsh, in charge of the Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, reports that in the West ex¬ 
tensive preparations were made for collecting, and that by the 1st of April the parties were ready to 
take the field. In the office at New Haven good progress was made in the preparation of reports. An 
important investigation of American Jurassic mammals was commenced, and an abstract of the results 
was expected to appear in the American Journal of Science for April. 

In the Paleozoic Division of Invertebrate Paleontology, Mr. C. D. Walcott devoted much of his time 
to the study of the Taconic question in geology, and in order that eai ly notice of the results obtained | 
might bo given to geologists interested in the subject, he prepared a paper on the “ Taconic System of 
Emmons ” for publication in the American Journal of Science. The main point in this paper will be \ 
more fully brought out in Mr. Walcott’s paper on the geology of Washington County, New York, 
which is now well advanced. 

The preparation of material for the studj" of the Upper Cambrian (Potsdam) faunas advanced 
steadily. 

In the Mesozoic Division of Invertebrate Paleontology, Dr. C. A. White was engaged in the prepara¬ 
tion and study of fossils, the results to be embodied in a bulletin of the Survey'. 

Cenozoic Division of Invertebrate Paleontology. —Late in March Dr. W. H. Dali, the chief of the divis¬ 
ion, returned from his trip of observation to Florida, referred to in previous reports. While in the 
field he visited a large number of points on the west coast of the State between Tampa and Charlotte 
Harbor, collecting the Tertiary fossils and determining the age of the strata. But the most interest 
ing and successful part of his work was comprised in a visit to the Pliocene deposits on the head¬ 
waters of the Caloosahatchie River during which some dozen boxes of fossils and rocks were collected 
and a careful examination of the rocks completed. The collection includes nearly or quite double the 
number of species previously known from the locality, including a number which are supposed to be 
new, and which are in a tine state of preservation. Since his return, the members of the division have ^ 
been chiefly engaged in preparing these for study 

Prof. L. F. Ward, in charge of the Division of Paleobotany, announces that no material change oc¬ 
curred in the work of the mouth from that reported for February. The proof-reading of Bulletin 37 
was continued throughout the month. Having collected the necessary data for the Sketch of Paleo¬ 
botany,” mentioned in the last report, he began the writing of the paper, and made fair progress. 

Prof. W. M. Fontaine pursued to completion the preparation for the report on the Potomac flora ' 
of the new material obtained last summer. He has also since been steadily engaged in putting the 
manuscript into final shape for printing. 

Prof. S. H. Scudder, of the Division of Fossil Insects, completed his paper on the fossil butterflies of 
Florissant. He also studied for comparative purposes the Carabidm and Coci'inellidte of the Tertitary 
beds of Oeningen, in Baden, and worked up the Florissant species of Cocciuellidae, and other Tertiary 
Clavicorn beetles of the United States. 


DIVISION OF CHEMISTUY. 


In the Division of Chemistry and Physics Prof. F. W. Clarke was engaged in the continuation of 'his 
investigations of the mica groups, and in making a series of analyses for Dr. Peale of the Survey. 

Mr. Hillebrand was at work upon the analytic separation of zirconium and titanium, and ujmn the 
examination of a series of rare copper minerals from Utah. Mr. Chatard reiiorted several analyses of 
salts, clays, <fec., and continued his investigations of the brines of Owens and Mono Lakes. Mr. Whit¬ 
field reports three analyses and general assays, including the rare borates, ludwigite and pandeimite. 
Mr. Riggs finished a series of tourmaline ansilyses of great difficulty and importance. 

In the physical laboratory Drs. Barns and Hallock continued their respective investigations upon 
high temperatures and rock expansion. ” 


DIVISION OF STATISTICS. 


\ 

Dr. T. D. Day. in charge of the Division of Mining Statistics, reports that the work of the division ' 
consisted in collecting and compiling data for “ Mineral Resources of the United States 1886 ” and in 
furnishing technical information to correspondents. ’ ’ 








THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


481 


PUBLICATIONS. 


The proofs received during tliemonth consisted of 69 gallevs and 317 pages of Bulletins 3G. 37. 38, and 
19; those returned, ot 95 galleys and 138 pages of the same works. 

Iliight sheets ot the Topographic Atlas of the United States were approved and ordered printed. 


COLLECTIONS. 


There were added during the moutli to the Survey’s collections in 
ind fossils. 

I am, with respect, your obedient servant, 


Washington 16 hoses of minerals 


J. W. POWELL, 

Director. 


Each auuual report of the Survey comprises two portions, viz : (1) the administra¬ 
tive reports of the Director and the heads of divisions, and (2i the accompanying pa¬ 
pers, which consist of treatises on special subjects investigated by collaborators of 
the Survey during the year covered by the report. The first part of each report is a 
simple statement of the scientific methods pursued and a condensed summary of the 
scientific results attained during the year. The second annual report contains 100 
octavo pages of such administrative matter, illustrated by 9 plates; the third annual 
report contains GO pages of such matter, illustrated by 2 plates and some figures ; the 
fourth annual report contains 104 pages, illustrated by one plate and some figures; 
the fifth annual report contains 100 pages, illustrated by 2 folding majis; the sixth 
annual report contains 130 pages of administrative matter, illustrated by 10 plates, a 
part of which are folding maps; and the seventh and eighth annual reports, now in 
press, contain still larger amounts of matter descriptive of scientific methods and 
results. These various reports are condensed to the utmost; and to them the citizens 
of the country must be referred for information concerning the objects sought to be 
attained, the methods pursued, and the practical results reached by the scientific 
branch of the Geological Survey. 


THE WORK IN APPLIED SCIENCE AND RESEARCH COMBINED. 

The Topographic Work. 

As shown in the various reiiorts of the Survey, and in preceding pages of this state¬ 
ment, the topographic surveys are carried on in accordance with definite plans, only 
so far modified from time to time as local conditions and requirements demand; but, 
as has also been shown, these surveys involve the development of new methods, tbe 
adjustment of old methods to new conditions, the invention of labor-saving and money- 
saving devices, the selection or invention of new conventions for the graphic repre¬ 
sentation of topographic forms, &c.; and it lias invariably been found that the most 
satisfactory work for the geologist and for the general public alike is performed by 
the most thorough students and those who feel the greatest interest in their work. 
So the principle of employing specialists interested in their specialties, the method of 
allotment, and the policy of fixing individual responsibility and credit by publication 
of maps under the names of the surveyors, are all applied throughout the geographic 
division. 

The character of tbe work of this division has been described elsewhere. The 
amount of work done in the form of areas surveyed, of maps drawn, and of maps en¬ 
graved, is carefully tabulated in each annual report of the Survey. 

It is im^iracticable to set forth in detail the time actually spent in topographic 
work by any employd of the division of geography for any considerable period. At 
the commencement of the field season each topographer is assigned to a certain field 
in which he is expected to survey an area which can only be approximately estimated 
in advance, partly because the conditions aftecting the rate of survey vary from place to 
place and cannot be determined for any area until it has been actually surveyed, 
and partly because his rate is affected by weather, in some portions of the country by 
the state of the atmosphere, &c. The surveyor has, however, the stimuli of interest in 
his work, of prospective credit for succe.ssful accomplishment, and of emulation; and 
his work is, moreover, inspected from time to time, in respect to both quality and 
quantity, by chiefs of divisions who not only have the same stimuli but are known 
for their ability, energy, and integrity. Thus the work perlbrmed by topographers in 
the field cannot well be measured by hours or days. Usually the day of labor is as 
long as that of the farmer, miner, or stockman of the same region, and while fractions 
of days or even longer periods may bo lost in consequence of bad weather, every efibrt 
is generally made to produce the best possible results during the field season. 

During the office season each topographer is required to reduce the obser^^atious of 
the field season, and to map the area covered by Lis surveys. It is found in practice 
that the topographer bends every energy to the accomplishment of this task, partly 
with the object of reducing to a minimum the period of office work, which is always 

4402 INT- 31 





482 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


less agreeable to active men than field work. The keeping of time reports of em* 
ploy6s in the geograi)hic division has been tried, but has been found to be useless, if 
not injurious. ^ . 

The record of each topographer is found in the maps prepared by him and jninted 
over his name; when this record is unsatisfactory lie seeks another vocation ; the 
record is promptly published; and it is by such records alone that the work of the 
geographic division may be justly measured either as to quality or as to quantity. 

The Chemic Work. 

Two generally distinct classes of work are performed in the division of chemistry 
and physics: viz, (1) analytic work and assaying, and (2) original researches relating 
to the genesis and relations of minerals, ores, and rocks. The first of these classes 
represents work of applied science, and the second work of pure scieucio. The results 
of the first may be quantitatively measured, while the results of the second are not 
susceptible of statement in figures. 

The chief of the division of chemistry and physics 'submits monthly and annual 
reports, the latter of which are published; and -within these rejiorts the original 
researches are described, and the results thereof are summarized. 

The technic work and results are set forth in the accompanying statement iire- 
pared in the division: 

Report of the chemie division, Geological Survey Office, on the methods of business and 
work, as requested by Senate Select Committee, and called for by Department circular of 
March 23, 1887. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the chemic division 
of the Geological Survey Office, Dexiartmeut of the Interior. 

(1) Analyses of rocks, minerals, ores, soils, waters, &c., collected Iiy members of 
the Survey in the field. 

(2) Occasional analyses for other public Bureaus, as of inks for the Interior De¬ 
partment; steel for the Ordnance Bureau, U. S. Army ; buildiog stones for the Super¬ 
vising Architect, Treasury Department, &c. 

(3) Identification of mineral species sent to the Survey for examination. 

(4) Investigation into problems in chemic and pliysical geology. At jjresent re¬ 
searches are in progress upon the utilization of the alkali brines and sediments of 
Utah, Nevada, and California ; upon the composition and relations of certain families 
of minerals; ui)on the temperatures of fusion of rocks; the expansion by heat of 
rocks, and upon the improvement of analytical processes used in the laboratories. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the chemic di¬ 
vision of the Geological Survey Office, in the Department of tlie Interior, including 
one or more items of the principal business matters transacted in said division, be¬ 
ginning with the receipt of the business matter in the Survey Office, and then show¬ 
ing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each of such principal business 
matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and the employes throuo-h 
whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered and acted upon, and 
the action thereon had and taken by each until the same is finally disposed of, and 
notice thereof dulj’^ given to the proper party. 

A rock, mineral, or other substance to be analyzed is received by the Director and 
referred by him to the chief chemist. It is then entered up in an Accession Recoi <l 
by number and description. It is next placed in the hands of one of the chemic 
force, who makes the analysis and reports the result upon a regular blank form to the 
chief cliemist. The latter copies the report into a laboratory record book and trans¬ 
mits the original, with the accompanying papers, to the Director. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand, pending, and undisposed of at the dates 
specified below, in the chemic division of the Geological Survey Office, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior: 

The chemic laboratory was started in December, 1883. From December 1 1883 
to April 1, 1887, 721 analyses have been finished and reported. About 70 are on hand 
unfinished. The work has its busy and its dull seasons; for sometimes material conu's 
in in large batches, and at other times in driblets. In the long run, say, year by year 
the labomtory keeps up with the work, but cannot get much ahead of it at any time! 

Investigations other than routine analyses are carrhid. on as opportunity offers but 
cannot be described in statistical form. ‘ ■ 




THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


483 


Statement showing the average number of employds in the chemic division of tho 
Geological Survey Office, Department of the Interior, during the periods specified. 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

6 

6 

6 

7 

8 

8 

8 

8 

9 

9 

9 

9 

1885. 

9 

9 

10 

10 

10 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

10 

10 

1886. 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

9 

1887 (to March 1). 

9 

9 

























December, 1883, to April, 1884, 2 chemists, 2 physicists, 2 laborers. 

April, 1884, to September, 1884, 3 chemists, 2 physicists, 3 laborers. 

September, 1884, to March, 1885, 4 chemists, 2 physicists, 3 laborers. 

March, 1885, to June, 1885, 5 chemists, 2 physicists, 3 laborers. 

June, 1885, to October, 1885, 5 chemists, 2 physicists, 3 laborers. 

October, 1885, to June, 1886, 6 chemists, 2 physicists, 2 laborers. 

Since July 1, 1886, same as for period immediately preceding, less 1 chemist. 

Statement showing the maximum and minimum amount of business transacted and 
disposed of by the emj)loyd doing the most and the employd doing the least during 
tho periods specified, in the chemic division of the Geological Survey Office, De¬ 
partment of the Interior. 

In a chemic laboratory no such record can be kept. ^ One analysis may be finished 
in a day, another may take a week, another three or four weeks. The question of 
steadiness and quality of work can be considered, but quantity cannot, for the 
difierent quantities are incommensurable. lu scientific investigations, research work 
proper, this is even more emphatically true. We can judge of the results on their 
merits, but not on their bulk. 

Statement showing the average number of days and tho time and attention devoted 
to the consideration and transaction of business during the periods specified, by tho 
employes in the chemic division of the Geological Survey Office, Department of 
the Interior. 

Hard to answer definitely. Some of the force have been in summer detailed for 
longer or shorter periods to work in the field divisions. In only one case has any 
member of the force been absent for more than the 30 days allowed by law, and then the 
absence was dul5 to the death of the employd’sfather in Europe and a necessary voyage 
across the Atlantic. Some members of the division have never taken a full allow¬ 
ance of leave, and nearly all the scientific force (being personally interested in their 
work) are on duty on holiday's, and, also, three days out of four, after regular hours. 
This extra time has uever been required, and is purely voluntary. It counts for tho 
personal scientific rex)utations of the workers, and it would not bo, noted hero. 

The Statisiical Work. 

Tho greater part of the work of the division of mining statistics and technology 
consists of the collection of statistics relating to mines and mining, and to the com¬ 
pilation of tables representing tho mineral products of the country; and this phase of 
the work of the division is set forth in tho accompanying statement prepared by its 
chief. 

A part of the work of the division consists of investigations into the relations of 
rocks and minerals, with a view to ascertaining the prospective supply of coal, petro¬ 
leum, rock-gas, and various ores, &c., and into other cognate subjects of immediate 
or remote practical moment. The results of these more special investigations are 
set forth in the volumes of statistical papers annually prepared iu the division. 

Statement showing the principal items of business transacted in the mining statis¬ 
tics and technology division of the U. S. Geological Survey, Department of tho 
Interior. 

Tho principal business of tho division of mining statistics and technology consists 

^^(A) Correspondence for collecting information concerning the development of now 
mineral localities, furnishing information to correspondents as to sources of minerals 
for which new uses have been found, and advisiug as to new uses to which minerals 

can be applied. ^ ^ , 

(B) Supplying technic information concerning new methods of mining and manu¬ 
facturing. 




























484 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


(C) Collecting the statistics of production, consumption, value, &c., of the various 
mineral industries. 

The information thus acquired is published in three forms: 

(1) As soon as the statistics for one important industry are complete for a calen¬ 
dar year they are published in the form of a brief circular, which is distributed among 
those interested. 

(2) These reports in extended form, together with many others not separately pub¬ 
lished, are arranged in the annual report called ‘‘Mineral Resources of the United 
States.” Collecting and editing this report is the most imj)ortant business of this of¬ 
fice in the amount of time required. It involves close watch upon a largo amount of 
current literature on mines and mining, trade reports, and technological journals, 
and constant intercourse with the leading specialists on ores, metals, and all the use¬ 
ful minerals. 

The system used in collecting the statistics is a flexible one, varying according to 
the sources of information for the different substances and according to their inter¬ 
est and importance. Several of the more important branches have been placed in 
charge of specialists under the supervision of this office. Such work as lias already 
been done by bodies like the American Iron and Steel Association, which collects 
the statistics of iron and steel, is, of course, not duplicated. Such means of informa¬ 
tion are utilized in every case where reliable. The work thus done is made an ad¬ 
junct to the regular office work, and its results are obtained at a small fraction of 
the cost which would be involved were independent investigation attempted. In 
addition to the experts in charge of special topics, the office employs regular corre¬ 
spondents in the more remote portions of the country. For the Pacific coast division 
such correspondents report to an agent in San Francisco, and for the Rocky Mountain 
division to an agent in Denver. Besides the large correspondence of the main office, 
each of the outside assistants has his own list of correspondents, in the aggregate 
amounting to many thousand addresses. 

The reports of correspondents and,agents, of State mining bureaus, and of industrial 
associations, are transmitted to the central office, and there systemized, condensed, 
edited, and published through the Government Printing Office. Some of the volumes 
and the separate circular reports are distributed by this division; others by the docu¬ 
ment division of the Survey. 

(3) Occasional bulletins are prepared, similar to the bulletins of the other divisions 
of the Survey. 

Statement showing in detail the methods of transacting business in the mining sta¬ 
tistics and technology division of the United States Geological Office,j,in the Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior, including one or more items of the principal business matters 
transacted in said division, beginning with the receipt of the business matter in the 
Survey, and then showing in consecutive order the various steps taken by each r.f 
such principal business matters through the appropriate divisions of said office, and 
the employes through whose hands the same passes, and by whom it is considered 
and acted upon, and the action thereon had and taken by each, until the same is 
finally disposed of and notice thereof duly given to the proper i)arty. 

The only cases of office business which pass in routine through several hands are 
letters concerning statistics or economic geology referred to the division by the Di¬ 
rector. These are then subjects of direct investigation by the chief of the division or 
occasionally are referred to some specialist, who returns the letter with his report^ to 
this division. This is made the basis of the division’s report, which is transmitted to 
the Director for his disposition. 

Statement showing the amount and character of business received, transacted, and 
disposed of during the period, and on hand pending and undispo sed of at the dates 
specified below, in the mining statistics and technology division of the Geolocrical 
Survey, Department of the Interior. ^ 

As indicated by the statement preceding this, it is impossible to express numeri¬ 
cally the work done in any given period. There is no business left over from year to 
year. 


Statement showing the average number of employds in the mining statistics division 
of the United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, durin<»- the pe¬ 
riods specified. ® ^ 


Calendar year. 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Mar. 

Apr. 

May. 

June. 

July. 

Aug. 

Sept. 

Oct. 

Nov. 

Dec. 

1884. 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

1885.. 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

2 

3 

2 

3 

3 

3 

1886. 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

3 

4 

A 

1887 (to March 1). 

4 

5 

5 










tttr' _...--— 


. 












































TitE EEPAI^^TMENT OE THE INTERIOR’. 


485 


Stiitemfenfc showing the maximum and minimum amount of business? friirisacted and 
disposed of by the employd doing the most and the employd doing the least during 
the periods specified in the mining statistics division of the Geological Survey,- 
Department of the Interior: 

No account has been kept of the work done by each employd. The duties of each' 
were not separate, but constantly changed according to work in hand. 

Statement showing the average number of days and the time and attention devoted to' 
the consideration and transaction of business during the periods specified by the 
employ ds in the mining statistics division of the Geological Survey office, Department 
of the Interior. 


Calendar year. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
number of 
days 
present. 

Average 
number of 
hours em¬ 
ployed dail 3 ^ 

Number 
by proxy. 

Remarks. 

1884. 

2 

294f 

6^ 

0 

Work by no means limited to 

1885. 

3 

284 


0 

office hours; much of it done 

1886. 

3 

296i 

6^ 

0 

at night and on holidays,&c. 

1887 (to March 1). 

5 

48 


0 


Statement showing the maximum number of days devoted to business by the employd 
present for the greatest number of days and also the minimum number of days de- 
, voted to business by the employd present for the least number of days in the mining 
statistics and technology division of the United States Geological Survey, Depart¬ 
ment of the Interior, during the periods specified. 



1884. 

1885. 

1886. 

1887 

(to March 1). 

Character of business. 

Maximum number of days. 

307 

30H 

271 

305 

48 

Chief of division. 

Minimum number of days....... 

277 

294 

48 

Stenographer. 



THE WORK IN THE BUSINESS BRANCH. 

The Division of Disbursements and Accounts, 

The character of the business transacted in this division has been described in de¬ 
tail in preceding pages. It should be observed that not only the fiscal business, but 
all business pertaining to custodial matters, is carried on under this division; but by 
far the larger part of the custodial business is actually transacted in the scientific 
division of the Survey. ^ 

From the preceding statement of the manner in which these two classes of business 
are conducted, it will be apparent that while the amount and character of business 
transacted in this division during any period can be definitely stated, it is impossible to 
estimate accurately the time occupied in the transaction of the business, or to institute 
comparisons as to the efficiency of employes; for the major part of the work is performed 
by scientific employes, who merely add the labor of disbursing and caring for proyerty 
to their other duties, and much of it is done in the field under adverse circumstances. 
Accordingly the accompanying statement, prepared under the direction of the chief 
of the division, represents the amount and character of a certain class of business re¬ 
ceived, transacted, and disposed of during the period specified, but no attempt has 
been made to tabulate the number of individuals employed, the relative efficiency of 
individuals, or the aggregate time occupied in the transaction of the business. 

































486 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


The following statement shows in detail the fiscal business in the disbursements and 
Accounts division of the office of the United States Geological Survey for the fiscal 
years 1884, 1885, 1886, and 1887 ; 


Character of busi¬ 
ness. 

Pending July 1, 1883. 

O 

93 

bJD . 

CO 

^ 00 

^ u 
ct 

— ^ 

> 

O 

Transacted and disposed 
of during iiscal year 
1884. 

On hand and undisposed 
of July 1, 1884. 

Received during fiscal 

year 1885. 

Transacted and disposed 

of during fiscal year 

1885. 

On hand and undisposed 

of July 1,1885. 

Received during fiscal 

year 1886. 

Transacted and disposed 

of during fiscal year 

1886. 

On hand and undisposed 

of July 1, 1886. 

Received during fiscal 

year 1887 (to Mar. 1). 

Transacted and disposed 

of during fiscal year 

1887 (to Mar. 1). 

On hand and undisposed 

of Mar. 1,1887. 

Number of vouch¬ 
ers . 

1,482 

7,901 

3, 399 
3,399 

7, 506 

1,877 

8,738 

5, 224 
5, 224 

8,399 

2,216 

6,406 

4, 875 
4,875 

7,212 

1,410 

3,462 

2,221 

3. 691 

3, 691 

2,651 

Letters received 
anfl sftTit__ 

T.ftt.tfira inflft-ved ... 





















The Division of Library and Documents. 


The operations of this division of the Survey are described at length elsewhere 
The business transacted, the employes, &c., since January, 1884, are tabulated be-* 
low by the chief of that division. 


The following statement shows in detail the business in the library and documents 
division of the office of the Geological Survey, Department of the Interior, for the 
calendar years 1884,1885,1886, and 1887 : 


Character of business. 

Pending July 1,1833. 

Transacted and disposed 
of during year 1884. 

On hand and undisposed 
of July 1,1884. 

Transacted and disposed 
of during year 1885. 

On hand and undisposed 
of July 1,1885. 

Transacted and disposed 
of during year 1886. 

On hand and undisposed 
of July 1,1886. 

Transacted and disposed 
of during year 1887 (to 
March 1). 

On hand and undisposed 
of Mar. 1,1887. 

Books and pamphlets received, reg¬ 
istered, catalogued, &c. 

0 

7,148 

0 

8, 031 

0 

9, 664 

0 

1, 296 

0 

Books prepared for binding. 

0 

1,136 

0 

3,064 

0 

1,891 

0 

100 

0 

Books issued and returned. 

0 

1, 251 

0 

4, 754 

0 

10, 028 

0 

973 

0 

Books drawn from and returned to 
Lib. Cong. 

0 

670 

0 

1,572 

0 

1, 566 

0 

236 

0 

Publications received from Public 
Printer. 

0 

31, 411 

0 

68, 564 

0 

36,155 

0 

5,669 

0 

Publications distributed, sold, and ex¬ 
changed ... 

0 

13,105 

0 

24, 654 

0 

25, 820 

0 

10,338 

0 

Letters received and filed. 

0 

9,198 

0 

14, 753 

0 

16, 451 

0 

3 ; 829 

0 

Letters sent and indexed. 

0 

7, 838 

0 

13, 597 

0 

11,141 

0 

3, 871 

0 


The following statement shows the average number of employes in the library and 
documents division of the office of the United States Geological Survey during the 
time specified: 


Months 


July. 

August ... 
September 
October ... 
November 
December. 
January... 
February . 
March .... 

April. 

May. 

June. 


Average 

eraploy6s 

1883-’84. 

Average 
employ 6s 
1884-’85. 

Average 
employ 6 s 
1885-’86. 

Average 

employes 

1886-’87. 

4 

7 

10 

12 

4 

8 

9 

13 

4 

8 

9 

13 

4 

9 

9 

13 

4 

9 

10 

13 

4 

9 

10 

13 

4 

9 

11 

12 

6 

8 

10 

12 

6 

8 

11 


6 

8 

12 


6 

9 

12 


6 

10 

12 























































































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


487 


No intclligiblo record of tlio avernge aitiouiit ai'.d cliaracter of work performed 
sitlier by individuals or by the entire lorcie <!an Ixi kej)t in a library. It is work of 
resc.arcb rather than ot marked result, d’lie lacts d<',sired in one instance may be 
obtained in an lionr, in another in a month only. 'Fhe time of every clerk is einjdoyed 
in lull, and it is only by Irecinent co-operation and continued inntnal endeavor that 
the constant demands upon the force are met. 

1 he following statement shows the average number of days’ time and attention de- 
voted to the transaction of business by the employes of the library and documents 
division of the office of the United States Geological Survey, in person and by proxy, 
during the yejirs named, \vith number of days during each year so devoted to business 
by the employ^ present for the greatest number of days and by the ernpffiyd present 
the least number of days during said years. Dei)artment open from 9 a. m. to 4 p, m., 
with half hour at noon for lunch. Time to be devoted to business, hours daily. 


Tears. 

1 Days Department 

open. 

Days worked in per¬ 
son. 

Days worked by 
proxy. 

S 

ri4 

o 

x. 

k. 

cS 

"cS 

O 

H 

Number of employes. 1 

Average number of 

days worked. 

Hours emploj’ed 

daily. * 

Most days worked 

by employd. 

Least days worked 

by einploy6. 

1884. . 

307 

1,743 

0 

1,743 

7 

249 

7 

282 

255 

1885 . 

301J 

2,610 

0 

2,610 

9 

270 

7 

284i 

273 

1886 . 

305 

3,180 

0 

3,180 

12 

265 

7 

283 

253i 

1887 (to March 1). 

48 

511.2 

0 

511.2 

12 

42.6 

7 

48 

41 


The Division of Illustrations. 

For present purposes the section of topographic drawing in the geographic division 
may be combined with this division; for the principles and methods of work in 
this section are essentially unlike those of the other sections of the geographic divis¬ 
ion, and essentially similar to those of the division of illustrations. Thus combined, 
the division will comprise three departments, viz: The department of artistic drawing, 
the photographic department, and the department of map-drawing. 

The work of the first and third of these is of peculiar character, in that the items 
and units are so inconstant and the processes and methods so variable that it is im¬ 
possible to tabulate the results of the work performed in such manner as to convey 
any definite idea of the work actually accomplished. The only common unit is the 
drawing; but the drawing may only represent a few minutes’ work by a draftsman of 
moderate skill, or it may represent the results of the work of months by the most 
skillful draftsman obtainable; and a tabulation based upon such a unit would be 
meaningless. Each draftsman, indeed, keeps a record of the drawings which he pre¬ 
pares during the year, but this record atfords no means of reliably comparing the 
efficiency of individuals or of measuring the efficiency of the corps. Accordingly no 
attemj)t has been made to tabulate the work performed in the former of these de¬ 
partments, and the tabulation in the latter has little significance. 

It has also been found impracticable to keep intelligible time records in these de¬ 
partments, for the reason that the employes do not work continuously under the head 
of the division. The services of the draftsmen are placed at the disposal of the heads 
of different scientific divisions, sometimes for the prejjaration of finished drawings, and 
sometimes for the preparation of working diagrams and drawings, which are either 
used in the preparation of illustrations for reports or destroyed after they have served 
an immediate purpose ; and the photographers’ assistants are similarly transferred. 
Thus the force actually employed in this division is variable, ranging from four or 
five to fifteen or sixteen assistants. 

It is impossible to accurately determine the number of photograjffiic negatives made 
in the Survey during any given period, for the reason that the greater part are made 
by geologists and topographers in the progress of their work as already set forth, 
while some are made by outside photographers under special contract, and only a 
limited number of field negatives are made by the attachds of the photographic labora¬ 
tory. Most of the negatives made in the Survey are, however, developed in the photo¬ 
graphic laboratory, and the accompanying record of this work is measurably complete. 
The record of the photographic prints made for use in the prosecution of the work of 






















488 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 


the Survey and for the special exchanges described in another x)art of this statement 
is practically complete. 

With this explanation the accompanying statements, prepared in the three depart¬ 
ments of the division of iliustratious, may he readily understood. 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the illustrations division 
of the ofiQce of the U. S. Geological Survey for the calendar years 1884,1885,188(5, 
and 1887: , 


C haracter of busin ess. 

Transacted and dis¬ 
posed of during cal¬ 
endar year 1884. 

On hand and undis¬ 
posed of Jan. 1,1884. 

Keceived during cal¬ 
endar year 1885. 

Transacted and dis¬ 
posed of during cal¬ 
endar year 1885. 

On hand and undis¬ 

posed of Jan. 1,1886. 

Eeceived during cal¬ 

endar year 1886. 

Transacted and dis¬ 

posed of during cal- 
dar year 1886. 

1 

On hand and undis¬ 

posed of Jan. 1,1887. 

Received during cal¬ 

endar year 1887 (to 
March 1). 

Transacted and dis¬ 

posed of during fis¬ 
cal year 1887 (to 
March 1). 

On hand and undis¬ 

posed of Mar. 1, 1887. 

Photographic nega¬ 
tives and priuts.... 
Maps, diagrams, &c .. 

8, 561 



10, 942 



11, 702 





1 

407 

404 

4 

522 

513 

13 

256 

254 

115 


The Editorial and Miscellaneous Division. 

The general character of the work performed iu this division has already been de¬ 
scribed in detail. The special character of the business received, transacted, and 
disposed of, the number of employ68, &c., in the division since January 1, 1884, are 
set forth in the acconipanying statement, prepared in the division : 

The following statement shows in detail the business in the editorial and miscel¬ 
laneous division of the office of the Geological Survey for the calendar years 1884, 1885, 
1886, and 1887: 


Character of business. 

Pending January 1,1884. 

Keceived during calendar 
year 1884. 

Transacted and disposed 
of during calendar year 
1884. 

On hand and undisposed 
of at close of 1884. 

Received during calendar 
year 1885. 

1 Transacted and disposed 

of during calendar year 1 

1 1885. ! 

On hand and undisposed 
of at close of 1885. 

Received during calendar 
year 1886. 

Transacted and disposed 
of during calendar year 
1886. 

On hand and undisposed 
of at close of 1886. | 

Received during calendar 
year 1887 (to March 1). 

Transacted and disposed 
of during calendar year 
1887 (to March 1). 

On hand and undisposed 
of March 1, 1857. 1 

1. Letters and reports received 
and sent. 

0 

4, 912 

4, 912 

0 

4, 004 

4, 004 

0 

5, 229 

5,229 

0 

649 

649 

0 

!. Manuscript reports for pub¬ 
lication . 

1 

16 

13 

4 

20 

17 

7 

17 

12 

12 

3 

1 

14 
















































THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


489 


The following statement shows the aggregate amount and character of business 
/lerlormed, transacted, and disposed of in the editorial and miscellaneous division of 
the office of the Geological Survey, with average number of employds during the 
time specified: 


Months. 

188^ 

o 

+3 . 

bcg 

<£ III 

1. 

. 

CO 

C3 ^ 

^ o 

U'S 

© 

Aggre¬ 
gate em¬ 
ployes, 
1885. 

Aggre¬ 
gate em¬ 
ployes, 
1886. 

Aggre- 

gateem- 

ployes, 

1887. 


*396 

6 

6 

7 


August. 

461 

6 

6 

7 


September. 

316 

G 

6 

7 


October... 

501 

6^ 

6 

7 


November. 

471 

6 

G 

7 


December. 

4.56 

6 

G 

7 


January. 

371 

6 

G 

7 

7 

February. 

326 

6 

G 

7 

7 

March .1. 

426 

6 

6 

7 


April. 

296 

6 

G 

7 



441 

6 

G 

7 


June. 

451 

6 

G 

7 


Total averages. 

4, 912 

72 

72 

84 

14 


* The figures in this column relate only to the character of business indicated in lino 1 above, it not 
being possible to apportion that on line 2 into months. 


The nature of the work done in the editorial and miscellaneous division is such 
as obviously renders it impracticable to keep an account of the maximum and mini¬ 
mum amounts performed by individual employds. 


The following statement shows the average number of days’ time and attention 
devoted to the transaction of business by the employds of the editorial and miscel¬ 
laneous division of the office of the Geological Survey, in person and by proxy, during 
the years named, with number of days during each year so devoted to business by the 
employd present for the greatest number of days and by the employd present the least 
number of days during said years. Department open from 9 a. m.to 4 p. m., with 
half hour at noon for lunch. Time to be devoted to business, (1^ hours daily. 


Years. 

Days De¬ 
partment 
open. 

1 

Days worked 
in person, j 

r— 

t ^ 

1 ^- 

P 

Total days 
worked. 

Number of 
employes. 

Average 
numb er 
of days 
worked. 

Hours em- 
ployed 
daily. 

1884 . 

307 

1,776 

1,677 

1,974 


1,776 

6 

296 

6i 

6J 

6i 

6i 

1885 . 

30U 

305 


1,677 
1, 974 
336 

6 

279^ 

282 

1886 . 


7 

1887 (f.n Mflrr.h 1) _____ 

48 

'336 


7 

48 






The number of employds of this division remains practically the same throughout 
any given year. Absences for as short a period as one day are taken into account in 
this statement. 

Occasional transfers of clerks to and from this division, sometimes temporarily and 
informally, so complicate the record of attendance as to make a calculation of the 
maximum and minimum number of days’ work i)erformed in any year extremely dif¬ 
ficult, and jierhaps not strictly trustworthy. 


The Worlc of the Stationery Cleric. 

The character of the work performed in this section of the Survey has also been de¬ 
scribed in detail on other pages. 

The duties of the stationery clerk are limited to the issue of stationery, upon prop¬ 
erly indorsed requisitions. The number of requisitions filled during each month from 
January, 1884, to February, 1887, inclusive, is represented in the accompanying table; 
































































490 


THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 


liequisiUotis filled. 


Months. 

1884. . 

1885. 

1886. 

1887. 

January . 

76 

306 

436 

346 

February..... 

72 

238 

331 

311 

March . 

78 

267 

370 


April______ 

60 

275 

351 


May. 

69 

261 

268 


June. 

57 

293 

244 



133 

222 

247 


August. 

96 

150 

149 


September..... 

113 

165 

191 


October . 

206 

189 

246 


^November. 

190 

245 

377 


December. 

316 

358 

326 


Total. 

1, 466 

2,969 

3, 536 

657 




Becaj^itulation. 


1884 

1885 

1886 
1887. 


1,466 

2, 969 

3, 536 
657 


Total 


8, 628 


The work of the Department is performed by a stationery clerk, who is sometimes 
assisted by one or two messengers. 


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